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Researcher Going The Distance To Help Fight Muscle-Wasting Conditions
Tom Roberts, 38, from Oxford, will be one of the thousands of people taking part in the historic Bidwells Oxford Town and Gown 10k event, on Sunday 14 May.
The medical researcher at the Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, will be taking on the streets of Oxford, all in support of Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) to help raise awareness and much-needed funds for the charity, which funds research into treatments for rare, life-limiting muscle-wasting conditions and supports the 110,000 children and adults across the UK affected by these conditions.
Tom, who previously ran the course in 2019 and volunteered at the event last year said: “I’m running the Bidwells Oxford Town and Gown 10k to represent the MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, to raise awareness of neuromuscular conditions, to fundraise to support further research in this area, and to show solidarity with people living with muscular dystrophy and other muscle-wasting conditions along with their families and carers.
“I was overwhelmed by the positivity of this fantastic event, when I ran previously and having volunteered last year. The atmosphere is amazing, with so many runners, and so much support from the city of Oxford, so I would really recommend that people sign up and support a great cause.”
The Oxford event started in 1982 by local runners as a fun run to raise funds for muscular dystrophy and still to this day all profits from the events go to MDUK. Collectively, it’s raised more than £2 million and every 10k makes a difference, so please join in – run the race to beat muscle-wasting conditions.
Tom added: “I undertook my doctoral training in the MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre lab under Professor Matthew Wood. My current research work focuses on trying to improve our understanding of the disease processes and developing therapeutic strategies for neuromuscular diseases, with a particular focus on Duchenne muscular dystrophy - which has been supported by grants and PhD studentships from Muscular Dystrophy UK. The impact of research funding from the charity really does make a huge difference – so I know how important it is to give something back.”
To support Tom please visit his online fundraising page and donate: justgiving.com/page/mduk-onmc-2023
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