'My mum's MS inspires me to run ultra marathons'

James March said he hoped his fundraising would be a way to show his mother how much she meant to him

For as long as he can remember James March's mother Wendy has had multiple sclerosis (MS).

She has a form of the condition known as primary progressive and is unable to move from the neck down or communicate.

The mother and son have a close relationship and she is the inspiration for his fundraising which saw him compete in the Marathon des Sables in 2021, raising £20,000 for charity.

This year, the 24-year-old from Wolverhampton is competing in the Jungle Ultra in the Amazon rainforest, again to raise funds.

"It's using mum's story as a motivator for me. She never gave up, so that's something I can easily try and not do", he said.

The financial advisor hopes his story will inspire other people to "tackle their own mountains and challenges".

His father Nick March said he was "very proud" of his son and everything he had achieved.

On James March's 21st birthday his mother sent him this card which prompted him to sign up to the Marathon des Sables the next day. He said he carries the card with him everywhere

James March said he remembered being two years old and his mother needing a wheelchair.

The physical limitations of her condition eventually prevented her from doing "the simple things, such as picking me up or making me dinner", he said.

She needed round-the-clock care and James became a young carer, winning a local radio award for his efforts.

On his 21st birthday she sent him a card which inspired him to sign up to the Marathon des Sables the next day.

The back of the card said: "Life is for Living. Continue to do everything I would have done and always live life to the fullest. I am proud of you, love Mum."

James March came third place in his age category at the Marathon des Sables in 2021, despite never having run a marathon before

With the Jungle Ultra taking place in June, Mr March is already getting in his miles and has specialist training planned to gear him up for the humidity.

He will be using Wolverhampton University's heat chambers to replicate the conditions he will face.

The event - a 230km, five-day trek through the Amazon Rainforest in Peru - has been described as one of the toughest races in the world. With 100% humidity and temperatures of more than 30 degrees Celsius, the event had only a 15% completion rate in 2023.

He is also busy fundraising for two charities related to his mother's condition, Walk Once More and the Wolverhampton MS Centre - set to be the beneficiaries of his fundraising efforts in Peru.

The latter supported his mother with oxygen therapy and other physical and wellbeing therapies that can help relieve the symptoms of MS.

Paula Anderson, Centre Manager said James was an "inspiration" and the money he raised would "change the lives" of so many people.

The centre is a self-funded organisation which currently supports 200 people.