Remembering William.
My name is Benjamin. I live with my Mum and Dad, and my big sister. My big brother Thomas lives in Stoke on Trent. I have Downs Syndrome. Thomas and I are both taking part in the Bidwells Cambridge 10k - Thomas is running the 10k while I am running the 3k. We are both running to Remember William.
Our Brother, William, lived with Duchenne for 20 years from his diagnosis when he was 3. He died suddenly on 1st July 2023, and we all miss him terribly.
William attended Thorpe St Andrew School between 2012 and 2019, finishing with 3 A Levels and a place at Essex University to read Sociology. He spent a term on campus in Colchester, before having to return home for the COVID lockdowns. After two years of study with the UEA as a home student, he completed his degree with the Open University in May 2023. He was going on to join the UEA again to study on the Japanese Studies MA course, and was in the process of arranging the care he'd need to go to campus every day.
We announced his result, a degree with honours, at his funeral on 19th July 2023, and attended his Degree Ceremony in Ely Cathedral in June 2024.
Throughout all this, William was an outpatient at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where they managed his medication to help him stay active and engaged.
None of this would have been possible without the support of his teachers and carers at Thorpe, and the support of Muscular Dystrophy UK in helping to arrange wheelchairs, accommodation and facilities.
Please help us to raise a shed-load of money for MDUK so that they can continue to support other people's brothers and sons who have DMD, and to continue researching for treatments and even cures.
This fundraising page benefits the following good cause:
"Muscular Dystrophy UK is the charity for the 70,000 people living with muscle-wasting conditions in the UK. We bring together people affected by more than 60 rare and very rare progressive muscle-weakening and wasting conditions. Muscle-wasting conditions are very rare, affecting just over one in every 1,000 people. As a result, some health professionals may never come across anyone with a muscle-wasting condition and may not know much about them. But we do. Since 1959, we’ve been supporting families living with muscle-wasting conditions. We provide vital information, advice, resources and support for people with these conditions, their families and the professionals who work with them."
Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown is our autumn run of the series and will take place on Sunday 5th October.
Our scenic 10k route takes you through the heart of Cambridge passing many landmarks, historic university buildings and along the River Cam.
All of our 10k runs our licensed by Run Britain and we're proud to be the recipient of a bronze award for the Best 10k in East England by The Running Awards 2019 and 2020.
28 Nov
£17.70
"From the kind customers at Copella Hair in Thorpe End"
14 Nov
£50.00
"From Maureen and Freda who remember William from when he was a baby"
13 Nov
£26.83
"Money from the Counter Collection at the wonderful Snowdrop Cafe in Norwich."
04 Nov
£100.00
We had great trick or treat fun with all of our amazing customers whilst raising these funds for you guys at Harry’s Soul Statio... "We had great trick or treat fun with all of our amazing customers whilst raising these funds for you guys at Harry’s Soul Station ❤️"
17 Oct
£10.00
"Well done, Benji!"
17 Oct
£60.00
"From Norwich Rugby Club raffle."
17 Oct
£10.00
"Great effort "
16 Oct
£5.00
No message
13 Oct
£20.00
"Well done Benjamin, you did amazing! Your big brother did okay too "
13 Oct
£50.00
"Love from Jane, Dave, Adam, Ross and Nora x"
11 Oct
£10.00
"Wishing you all best of luck for this challenge and for raising funds for such a heartfelt cause "
08 Oct
£20.00
"Well done Benjamin "
07 Oct
£10.00
"Well done! "
07 Oct
£10.00
"Well done! "
07 Oct
£10.00
"Well done!"
06 Oct
£20.00
"Well done Benjamin!"
06 Oct
£200.00
"Absolutely inspiring"
06 Oct
£5.00
No message
05 Oct
£30.00
"Well done all. We are all proud of your efforts! From Glyn, Laura, Oscar and Esme"
05 Oct
£203.00
"From St. George 's in the Meadows, Nottingham "
05 Oct
£50.00
"Well done everyone."
05 Oct
£50.00
"Good luck everyone!!! Kate xxx"
04 Oct
£5.00
No message
03 Oct
£10.00
"Good luck!! "
03 Oct
£20.00
No message
03 Oct
£15.00
No message
03 Oct
£10.00
No message
03 Oct
£20.00
"Go Benjamin!! You're a star!"
03 Oct
£50.00
"Good luck to you both from me too from Switzerland!"
03 Oct
£50.00
"Good luck you both from Switzerland!"
03 Oct
£20.00
"Good luck!!!"
03 Oct
£5.00
"Good luck to you both!"
03 Oct
£50.00
"For William "
02 Oct
£10.00
"Well done Benjamin!"
02 Oct
£10.00
"Good luck! A great cause x"
01 Oct
£10.00
"All the very best wishes for the run both of you. Enjoy ☺️ "
01 Oct
£10.00
No message
01 Oct
£5.00
No message
30 Sep
£20.00
"Well done Benjamin"
29 Sep
£10.00
"Good luck Benjamin!"
29 Sep
£10.00
No message
28 Sep
£20.00
No message
27 Sep
£25.00
"Good luck Benjamin. From Ivan and Jenny Green"
26 Sep
£10.00
No message
26 Sep
£20.00
"In Memoriam William Dewar, from Peter Horne."
26 Sep
£20.00
No message
25 Sep
£100.00
"All the very best Thomas and Benjamin on Sunday 5th!!!"
25 Sep
£10.00
No message
22 Sep
£10.00
No message