A TEAM of lifelong friends from Basingstoke are taking on a 24-hour ultramarathon to raise awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Today, Saturday, June 8, Alex Price, Craig Barker, Stephen Horton, Ama Bhuller and Stuart Urquart are participating in the physically taxing challenge, alongside race director Richard Impett, having all felt the effects of the incurable disease.
Speaking to the Gazette previously, Alex, 35, talked about the group's experiences with MND, and explained how they have been inspired to make a difference: "Ten years ago, Barbara Barker, the mother of one of my best friends, Craig, passed away from Motor Neurone Disease."
READ MORE: Six dads coined 'Barb's Boys' running 24 hour relay in memory of friend's mother
Barb's boys pictured with Barbara before she died (Image: Barb's Boys)
Inspired to "make a difference," the group set themselves the goal of raising £4,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and have already smashed that target, raising more than £5,000 before the race has even began.
The team, dubbed 'Barb's Boys,' will participate in Endure24 in Wasing Park, Reading, competing in a 24-hour ultramarathon relay, with each member aiming to complete between 25 to 30 miles.
Alex said: "She was like a second mother to us, knowing Barbs from being young, we had all known her for a long time, she was a normal mum who was affected by this incurable disease.
"It was frightening how quickly she deteriorated. Motor Neurone Disease impacts all the muscles but the brain stays intact. It was awful to see."
The six dads previously completed the challenge while Barbara was still alive and now, 10 years since her death, 'Barb's Boys', as the group are known, have united once again to take on the mammoth task.
"We are just six dads wanting to make a difference for Motor Neurone Disease, especially for Craig as it can be hereditary."
Readers can donate to Barb's Boys on their JustGiving page justgiving.com/page/craig-barker-1709239793915
You can also follow their journey on Instagram instagram.com/barbs_boys.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here