'Losing my mate to MND was devastating - now I'm running to Manchester in his memory to raise vital research cash'

Lewis Johnson will run from Wolverhampton to Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium next month, a total of 64 miles, all in one day for the Mel Evans MBE foundation which raises awareness of Motor Neurone Disease (MND)

The 28-year-old was a school friend of former soldier Jordan Pilkington who was diagnosed with MND and lost his battle last August aged just 27. The pair shared a love of football and had played with and against each other in games.

Jordan was an avid Manchester United fan and a patron for the foundation, which honours Mel Evans MBE who was a top class bowls player in Cannock and died at the age of 65 in 2017, 15 months after a surprise MND diagnosis.

Mel's widow Lynn Pritchatt started the foundation in his memory and has helped raise thousands of pounds for research into a cure as well as awareness of the condition.

Last year Lewis, who is also a patron for the foundation, set up the Forever 27 brand in aid of Jordan and ran seven half marathons in seven days, finishing at Jordan’s home in Featherstone. In 2025 he has already completed marathons in Manchester and Leeds, and he completed the Great North Run earlier this month.

He will be supported on next month's run by former professional footballer Marcus Stewart, who has MND. Lewis is also organising a gala dinner and fundraising event at Edgbaston supported by Coronation Street actors Daniel Brocklebank and Peter Ash, DJ Pat Sharp and comedian Tommy Cannon.

The supermarket manager from Norton Canes was also friends with the late rugby league player Rob Burrow who was awarded a CBE alongside Kevin Sinfield for their efforts in raising awareness of MND.

Lewis has set a target of £3,000 for the Old Trafford event but says just as important is the chance to raise awareness of MND.

He said: "Losing Jordan was a devastating blow - we had been friends since we started at Cheslyn Hay High School. He was a massive Manchester United fan so I thought of the run to Old Trafford.

"The support I have received since I announced it is amazing.

"We are already well on the way to reaching the fundraising target of £3,000 which will go the Sheffield centre where research is carried out, and that is a month before the run will take place.

"I can't thank people enough for getting behind me on it, though Lynn is the driving force behind the Mel Evans foundation, she has boundless energy and never stops working on the shared goal of raising money and awareness of MND, which can take hold so quickly and can be devastating for those who get it and their families who live alongside them."

To donate or support Lewis on his run, which takes place on October 25, visit his JustGiving page.