Stepping up for Team Stewart

When Dave Glew’s mother was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2021, he took on a running challenge with his wife Amy, which raised £2,760 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. The Burnham-on-Sea couple ran 200km between them during March that year and, while his mother sadly passed away a few months later, Dave says the efforts they put in were a source of comfort to her.

Now 50, Dave has decided to get running again to raise funds for a cause that’s become even closer to his heart.

Dave is a good friend of former professional footballer, Marcus Stewart, who was diagnosed with MND in September 2022. Marcus played for both Bristol Rovers and Bristol City during his career and their friendship dates back to when they were neighbours in Portishead more than 15 years ago.

Dave will be taking part in the half-marathon at the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run to raise money for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation on behalf of Team Stewart. Set up by former Premier League footballer, Stephen Darby, and his close friend and British Forces veteran, Chris Rimmer, the Foundation aims to raise awareness of MND, to fund and assist research into the illness, to offer grants and to provide an informative and emotional support network for those diagnosed with the disease.

Team Stewart is a fundraising group created by Marcus and his wife Louise focused on supporting the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.

“Marcus and I go back quite a way,” explains Dave. “We used to be drinking buddies and have spent a lot of time together over the years. After his diagnosis I got involved with the amazing fundraising efforts that Team Stewart has been doing, including organising a golf day in October 2022 when a group of us raised around £16,000.

“But I knew it was time for me to step up and do more, so I signed up for the Great Bristol Run.”

While he hasn’t done a lot of running since his fundraising challenge in 2021, Dave has been keen to get back into the habit.

“I procrastinated a bit before Christmas, but I’m now regularly running 7k and will keep increasing that distance as I go along,” he explains. “I’m doing this for a cause that’s close to my heart and I know I’ll also be helping myself by getting fitter.

“I last did the half-marathon at the Great Bristol Run around 10 years ago when I was younger, fitter and not carrying as much weight!

“It’s an event I really enjoy, the support is amazing on the day and I’m looking forward to getting involved again. I’ll be running in a Bristol Rovers shirt which might alienate some people, but it’s got to be done!”

Half Marathon entries are now SOLD OUT, but don’t worry, you can still get involved in this year’s AJ Bell Great Bristol Run. Find out more here.