Pride of Britain executive producer Matt Cox will complete the London Marathon this Sunday, flanked by family members, to raise vital funds for motor neurone disease research. The 46-year-old former producer, diagnosed with MND last year, hopes to raise £100,000 for the MND Association. He will tackle the 26.2-mile course in a borrowed sports wheelchair, pushed by his cousin Stewart, brother and sister Tomos and Natalie Owen, and another brother also named Tomos.
A Chaotic Love Letter to Family
Matt said: 'My family didn't blink when I asked them to each push me part of the way. I've been unlucky enough to get this disease, but I am incredibly lucky to have such a close network of friends and been born into my wonderful family. In a way this whole challenge is also a chaotic love letter to my family.'
Diagnosis and Early Symptoms
Matt, a huge supporter of The Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards, was diagnosed with the rare neurodegenerative disease in 2025. He first noticed symptoms in 2024 while working in Los Angeles. 'I was on my way to meet Michelle for the very first time, in early summer, and I fell outside the restaurant. It was weird, my feet just seemed to stop behaving properly,' he recalled. After similar incidents, including difficulty walking through an airport and bumping into people, he finally sought medical help. Doctors at King's College Hospital diagnosed him with upper and lower body motor neurone disease with late adult onset.
Prognosis and Fear
At an early home visit, a specialist told him most patients average two years after diagnosis. When Matt discovered his consultant had sent a form to the Department for Work and Pensions for patients with a life expectancy of 12 months or less, he was devastated. 'I told my family and their hearts broke. Mine was breaking too,' he said. Despite his fear of losing independence, he has thrown himself into fundraising. 'MND is an expensive disease for which you need all kinds of gear, like motorised wheelchairs and hoists. When I could no longer walk up the stairs, the charity installed a stairlift. But they're a small charity and the number of people in need is growing. I wanted to throw my hat in the ring and help.'
Marathon Challenge
Matt will use a Delichon sports wheelchair loaned by MND community members Alice and Dave Baker. His sister Natalie Owen said: 'I am quite simply in awe of my brother. If he has the courage to turn his battle into a mission of hope, then the least I can do is stand behind him – quite literally – pushing him towards that finish line.' Donations can be made via GoFundMe, and Matt can be followed on Instagram.
