'Dementia took my mum - now I'm running the Rob Burrow Marathon in my rugby hero dad's winning Leeds shirt'
Ben says he’s running for every family facing the disease
The Rob Burrow Marathon is just a couple of weeks away and for one family it will have an extra special meaning.
Wakefield’s Ben Sanderson will be wearing a well known number 7 Leeds rugby league club shirt – the one his dad, John ‘Sammy’ Sanderson wore at the 1978 Wembley Challenge Cup Final where Leeds beat St Helens in front of a crowd of 96,000.
Ben, 49, will tackle the 26.2-mile Rob Burrow Marathon on May 10 in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society - a charity close to the family's heart.
Ben said: "Last year dementia took my mum, Carol.
"Now my dad, Sammy, is living with the same cruel disease. That’s why, at nearly 50 and having never run a marathon — or even a half marathon — before, I’m taking on the Rob Burrow Marathon.”
"Losing my mum was incredibly hard.
"Watching someone you love slowly fade away is something I wouldn’t wish on any family.
"Sadly, the journey isn’t over for us – my dad, Sammy, is now also living with the disease.
“Seeing first-hand the impact dementia has on people and their families is why I wanted to do something that could help others going through the same thing.
"The Rob Burrow Marathon felt like the perfect way to do it. It’s about resilience, courage and community — values that really resonate with me and with our family’s love of Rugby League."
Running in his dad’s shirt makes it even more meaningful for Ben and his family.
Throughout his rugby career, Sammy played for many teams including Wakefield, Halifax and Hull, but it’s the Leeds shirt that holds special memories.
"It’s a proper old-school shirt – thick, heavy and more like a jumper than modern running gear, so it will definitely make the miles even tougher.
"But wearing it will remind me exactly why I’m doing this.
“Training for this marathon hasn’t been easy, but every mile will be for Carol, for Sammy, and for the millions of families affected by dementia.
“If you can spare anything at all to support Alzheimer’s Society and help fund vital support and research, I’d be incredibly grateful.”
So far, Ben has raised £2,660 and a generous £500 donation directly to the charity by SMS Ltd.
To give to Ben’s fundraising, click here.