“It was really important for me to run the London Marathon in his memory” – Shannon’s story

02 May 2025

Last weekend, Shannon Wright-Davies ran the 2025 TCS London Marathon for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, in memory of her Di (Grandad), Jimmy Wright. Jimmy was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) in 2023 and sadly died eight weeks before the marathon. 

After her Di’s diagnosis, Shannon decided to run for the Foundation to raise funds for vital MND research, and support individuals and families affected by the disease. Reflecting on her training, she said: “It has given me something to focus on. I would speak to my Di weekly about my running – he was fully invested in it, always willing me on. It gave him a little boost too.

“He had familial MND (SOD1 gene) and his own Dad (my Great Di) passed with this in his 50s. My mum, aunties and uncle all went for genetic testing to see if they had the gene, so it has been a really tough time for us all. As a family we have all been dedicated to finding a cure for MND.

“My Di was only 67 when he passed and had so much life left to live. I feel he’s around me all the time, and I’m living for him too now, so it was really important for me to run the marathon in his memory.”

Jimmy, who was originally from Fife but moved down to Alnwick, Northumberland with his partner, Angela, in 2009, loved sports. He was a professional footballer for Leeds United, St Johnstone, and then West Adelaide in Australia, before becoming a greyhound trainer. 

Shannon added: “His family and friends were everything to him and he loved being around people. He was a joker and loved having a laugh right up until he passed.

“He never lay down to MND and was always so hopeful and positive. I’m so proud to be his granddaughter and hope to take all the life lessons he taught me forward in my own life.”

To get her through tough moments during training, Shannon thought about the daily struggles her Di went through living with MND. She explained: “If he could still get up every day and try to live life to the fullest, whatever that looked like, then I could do this run and get through it.

“I also reflected on how lucky I was to be in a position to run the London Marathon. I wanted to seize the opportunity, raise funds for MND research, and make him proud.

“Losing him unexpectedly during training was incredibly difficult. Even though he was unwell, we did not expect him to pass so suddenly, so it was a shock for all of us. I had to take a break from training, and as a result I knew I was going to have to dig deep on the day and do it for him.”

Pushing through ‘the wall’

On marathon day, Shannon’s fiancé, mum, sister, brother, best friend and her best friend’s boyfriend were all there to cheer her on. 

Shannon said: “The biggest highlight was seeing strangers supporting each other. It was a really hot day (22 degrees) and everyone was looking out for each other on the course. It warms your heart and restores faith in humanity.

“The last stretch running towards Big Ben was amazing. I saw my family at this point and knew I was so close to finishing. My thoughts went to my Di - I knew he would be so proud of me.

“My auntie and cousins spotted me on the TV crossing the finish line. I’ve no doubt that if my Di had still been here, he would have been watching too and cheering “Go on Shan!"

“Running the London Marathon was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. A week on, it feels like a dream, and I feel such an immense sense of pride. Whenever you aren’t feeling like training, or when you’re struggling and you hit ‘the wall’ on the day itself, your reason ‘why’ pushes you through. My Di, and raising awareness and funds for MND research, were my reasons ‘why.’ 

“It was a privilege to go out there and run in my Di’s memory and for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.”

Shannon has now raised over £1,300 for the Foundation. Paul Thompson, Director of Fundraising and Communications said: “Without fundraisers like Shannon, we wouldn’t be able to fund research that will accelerate the development of new treatments for MND. Our thoughts are with Shannon and her family after their loss, and we are so grateful to her, and all our London Marathon runners, for supporting the charity.”

You can find out more about our upcoming challenge events at: https://www.myname5doddie.co.uk/whats-on/events/