This Saturday, 5 July, Brighton Pier will become the emotional finish line of an extraordinary journey: two young men, Milo Young and Gabriel Maddison, are just days away from completing 15 marathons in 15 days, running the full length of England — 630km — in support of Purple Heart Wishes, a UK charity that grants wishes to terminally ill adults aged 18–55.
The challenge, dubbed #RunCancerRun, began in Berwick-upon-Tweed and will culminate on Brighton’s iconic seafront, marking not only a physical and mental triumph, but also a deeply personal mission.
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Milo, 26, tragically lost his mum, Natalie, to cancer in December 2024.
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Gabriel, 26, has also felt cancer’s painful reach, having lost both his grandfather and uncle.
Fuelled by loss, driven by love, and united by hope, the two friends set out to turn their grief into purpose — and have already raised over £10,000 for Purple Heart Wishes, helping to create meaningful experiences for others facing terminal illness.
“We wanted to do something big — something that made people stop and pay attention,” said Milo. “Our loved ones showed immense courage. This was our way of honouring that courage and giving back.”
The pair have documented their entire journey via social media, with daily updates, videos, and reflections that have inspired hundreds of followers to donate, cheer them on, and share their message.
Their effort is entirely unsupported, meaning they’ve carried their own gear, arranged their own accommodation, and pushed through all weather and terrain purely on grit and goodwill.
“There were days we wanted to quit — sore legs, bad sleep, emotional fatigue,” added Gabriel. “But every time we hit a wall, we remembered why we started. We’re doing this for something so much bigger than ourselves.”
Purple Heart Wishes, the beneficiary of their fundraising, provides once-in-a-lifetime experiences to adults in the UK living with terminal conditions — a demographic often overlooked by traditional wish-granting charities.
“Milo and Gabe’s journey has moved us all to tears,” said a spokesperson from the charity. “Not just for the sheer physical feat, but because of the heart, resilience, and humanity behind it. Their story encapsulates everything we stand for.”
Join Them at the Finish Line
The public is warmly invited to join Milo and Gabriel at Brighton Pier around 5pm this Saturday, 19th of July, to help them celebrate the end of their 630km journey and raise further awareness for Purple Heart Wishes.
Donate or Learn More
Visit their JustGiving page here:
🔗 https://www.justgiving.com/page/runcancerrun
