BBC Breakfast started off the day in the School of Science and Sport’s Atrium, with presenter John McGuire live interviewing Kevin, Mr Marshall-Taylor and pupils about the College’s connection to MND through our much-missed and loved teacher of chemistry Pete Bellenger, who died last year after seven years living with the disease.
Kevin then left us to set off from the AMEX Stadium at midday, running through Kemptown soon after, to be greeted by pupils cheering and waving ‘Go, Kevin!’ banners along the roadside. During the extra mile of Kevin’s ultramarathon, four pupils ran alongside Kevin and other members of the MND community along Brighton seafront. Then later that afternoon, in great anticipation, the whole school gathered from the College front gates, along the whole of the Quad and to the Home Ground, to make a guard of honour down to Kevin’s finish line. All pupils carried candle lights, a powerful sight as the daylight faded.
England rugby player and OB Marcus Smith (Le. 2011-17) and friend of Kevin’s, was at the finish line alongside Mr Cairns and Mr Marshall-Taylor, to welcome Kevin and his team after their gruelling day. We were also joined by members of the local MND community, to celebrate the power of friendship.
Kevin spoke with passion and determination about how we must find a cure for MND and how we need to raise money to do this; Mr Marshall-Taylor spoke about the power of friendship and how in the dark days of people who have the disease, friendship is the light that keeps people going. At this point, pupils held aloft their candle lights, making a beautiful scene on the winter’s evening.
Marcus then spoke fondly of Pete Bellenger, who taught him and his two younger brothers, and Mr Cairns reinforced the powerful message that only with money to fund research, can we beat this disease that took his friend Mr Bellenger from us all. One extra-special surprise for Kevin was a video message from Chris Martin of Coldplay, his favourite band, wishing him love and support on his challenge, and sending Brighton College his love too.
Members of the Chamber Choir then started the whole school singing A Sky Full of Stars. Many thanks go to pupils and staff across the school (so many to mention individually) who made the whole day such a special event, including all our pupils interviewed by BBC TV and radio and ITV across the day.
