By Mencap
Hi! I’m Jason Walsh, originally from Morley near Leeds, but now living in Manchester. I’m a musician, primarily the lead vocalist of an alternative rock band called Kill The Silence, but I also play solo acoustic gigs. I’ve been passionate about running since the Covid-19 lockdown where I picked it up primarily to lose weight, ended up falling in love with it, and entered the Manchester Half Marathon in 2022 as my first event.
Since then, I’ve run 4 marathons, including one in Tunisia alongside Russ Cook on his very last day of Project Africa, in April this year. The London Marathon has always been a dream for me. After being inspired by Russ raising a whopping £1 million for charity and wanting to do something good for my running, I thought fundraising would be a perfect opportunity for me to give back to an amazing cause that has supported families like mine.
I grew up in Leeds with a brother 7 years younger than me. I remember when he was born, we knew our lives weren't going to be the same, as Curtis was born with
Down syndrome
Down syndrome, also known as Down's syndrome, is a type of disability. People with Down syndrome may find it hard to learn new things and may need support. They may have more problems with their health too.
. It's been a challenging journey and at the time I was too young to really understand the full scope of what that meant in the early days. I honestly have so much love and
respect
Respect means showing someone you think about someone's feelings, wishes or
rights
Rights are the things everyone should be allowed to do like have a say, or go to school.
.
for my parents for what they went through and how well they coped.
We’ve been supported by Mencap through this journey, and its definitely made the world of a difference. Honestly, I wouldn't change a single thing. I have the best, most supportive and loving little brother in the world - I couldn't think of a more worthy cause to give back to and a better way to do it!
This will be my first time running for Mencap – but the
community
A community is the people and places in an area.
I have been linked with since joining Team Mencap has been amazing, I couldn't imagine not doing this again! I will always be running so who knows what the next challenge will be... but until April, it's all eyes on London!
For my friends and my family who have met my brother, It wouldn't take much persuasion for them to join Team Mencap too. You quickly learn that even though someone has a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
, they’re very much like you and me, with the same lust for life, passions and dreams.
Seeing my brother being enabled to follow his dreams is all the motivation I need to support a cause he and others like him utilise to live their life to the fullest. And what better event to do it than THE London Marathon? It's a once in a lifetime event for most people, so make it count!
I have started a YouTube channel alongside the fundraiser, where I'm filming weekly vlogs and other running related content as I fundraise and prepare for London! You can find all this on YouTube, with new videos coming every Friday!
I’m also performing acoustic shows, performing my band's material, alongside other original songs and a few covers you may know and love! I will be planning more of these shows in the coming months in different cities also, so keep your eyes peeled.