Cape Town runner to raise funds for neurodiverse and neuro-disabled adults

Cape Town runner Luke Barnwell aims to raise £2,000 for British Home at the London Marathon to support adults living with neurodisabilities.

Cape Town runner Luke Barnwell will run the 2027 London Marathon to raise funds for British Home, a UK charity providing specialist nursing care, rehabilitation and personalised support to neurodiverse and neuro-disabled adults.

Barnwell has secured a charity place and aims to raise £2,000 (approximately R45,000) through a BackaBuddy campaign.

All funds raised will support British Home’s work and will not be used to cover his flights, accommodation or personal travel costs.

The campaign had raised R3,020 from three donors within its first two hours.

Neuro-disabilities could result from conditions including brain injuries, strokes and other neurological illnesses, which could lead to the impairment of a person’s movement, communication, independence and ability to manage everyday activities.

UK Charity British Home supports adults living with these challenges through specialist nursing care, rehabilitation and support tailored to individual needs.

Its work aims to help residents maintain their independence and quality of life wherever possible.

For Barnwell, supporting this work is the main reason for taking on the marathon.

“My biggest goal is to raise £2,000 (approximately R45,000) for British Home and help support the people in their care,” he says.

He also hopes the fundraiser will raise awareness of the realities faced by people living with neurodisabilities and the support required by their families and carers.

“This challenge is about more than crossing a finish line,” Barnwell says.

The 2027 London Marathon will take place on April 24 and 25, 2027, with runners allocated one of the two days. 

Barnwell plans to share his progress, including training runs, races, setbacks and preparation for race day.