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Rotary Magazine for District 1210

A keen runner and rugby league enthusiast is combining both interests to fundraise for the Motor
Neurone Disease Association and one of Graham Berry’s sponsors will be Shrewsbury Severn Rotary
whose members were inspired by a talk he was invited to give them.
Graham, 50, of Shrewsbury, will face his biggest
running challenge yet when he tackles a two-
day/150km ultra marathon from Wigan Warriors’
DW Stadium to Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium
via the Leeds-Liverpool canal later this year.
The lifelong Wigan Warriors fan who was born and
raised in Wigan was inspired by Rob Burrow, Leeds
Rhinos no.7, who was diagnosed with Motor
Neurone Disease at the age of 37.

“This young, fit man, 5ft 7ins, 11st, played 515
games in total for Leeds, England and Great
Britain,” Graham told Rotarians.
“Rugby League is like a family – we stand together.
Even as a Wigan fan I felt compelled to
do something.”
He said he had also been inspired by another Leeds
Rhinos Rugby League player Kevin Sinfield, one of
Rob Burrow’s best friends, whose personal
marathon efforts had already raised over £2.5m

Kevin had come up with the idea of an ultra
marathon which is anything longer than a
marathon. “My personal best is four hours and the
longest so far is 93km (58 miles).
“I also took up the challenge of running 70 miles in
a week which is a lot for any runner and I also run
ultra marathons on a treadmill.”
He will set off for his ultra marathon on Thursday
7th September 7th at 6am and arrive by 8pm on
Friday 8th in time for the Leeds v Wigan match kick
off – which might be televised – and where Leeds
plan to interview him on the pitch.
“I shall have to find both grit and determination to get through the two days. With there being no cure
for Motor Neurone Disease, treatment comes down to occupational therapy to enable sufferers and
their families to receive support.”
He has been an MNDA runner for about three years and has so far raised over £7,000 through
running and other campaigns.
Graham said “Not a lot of people know about the condition and not a lot is known about the causes. It
is usually a pre-disposition of people in their 60s and 70s, but no-one really knows where it
comes from.
“With there being no cure treatment comes down to occupational and speech therapy to enable
sufferers to go on for longer. There’s no finishing line until there is a cure.”
He added: “Any organisations who kindly support me will get many mentions on social media and
their name and logo on my race vest/ shirt. One of those will most certainly be Rotary.”
Shrewsbury Severn Rotary president Fred McDonogh said “Graham gave us an excellent – though
frightening – talk and we wish him every success with his ultra marathon.”

SPRING 2023 ROTO 27