LAST UPDATE | 28 May
THE FTD BROTHERS have completed their final marathon in Dublin as part of their challenge to run 33 marathons in 33 days, covering every county in Ireland.
There were emotional scenes at Merrion Square, where family, friends and strangers came in droves to show support.
Jordan and Cian Adams, known online as the FTD Brothers, have been running every day over the last month to raise awareness and funds for dementia research and support services.
Their mother Geraldine died from frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in March 2016 at the age of 52 after years of decline.
The disease has devastated their wider family for generations; eight of the 13 cousins in Geraldine’s generation developed and later died from the condition.
Jordan and Cian have both tested positive for the inherited gene mutation that causes familial frontotemporal dementia (FTD), meaning they have a 99.9% chance of developing the same terminal disease in their 40s.
Their challenge kicked off on 26 April when Jordan took part in the London Marathon carrying a 25kg fridge on his back. They haven’t been carrying any kitchen appliances on their challenge across Ireland, but the Irish attempted to carry them along in their support in each county.
Speaking to The Journal after the event, Jordan Adams spoke about the different stories he has heard from Irish people throughout the various counties.
The Journal / YouTube
“Ultimately we’re here in Ireland doing a running challenge because we’ve lost twelve Irish relatives to dementia – so we had our own Irish story with dementia. My mum was so proud to be from here, she spoke so fondly about times growing up here and some of my mum’s relatives are here today,” as he gestured into the crowd to his family.
“It’s hugely down to family members to pick up the pieces. My 89-year-old grandad is here today, and he’s a dementia carer in his age now, and he’s only just got respite in the last month – and we have seen the effect it’s had on his health.”
He added, “living with dementia can create turmoil in a household, and it has rippling effects including financial effects.”
He described how he comes from a working class family in Redditch, England and the financial implications dementia has had is quite stark, something he very much wants to also bring awareness to.
There was a sea of colourful signs, drawings of the brothers and county flags at Merrion Square, where the brothers finished their final run.
The two boys would be meeting An Tánaiste Simon Harris after their run, and asked what message they would like to get across to him, Jordan said “I don’t think there’s infrastructure there built for families living with dementia. We want to make sure that Ireland is best prepared to serve families here with dementia
He continued, “ultimately, money is the thing that moves the needle.” He explains that himself and Cian have been working closely with MEP Nina Carberry and hope to bring change to Brussels.
Jordan addressed the crowd in an emotional speech,”When I started this journey eight years ago, I wasn’t even good at running. I didn’t even like running,” said Jordan.
Ben, a friend of Cian Adams, was with him when got his diagnosis.
“As a friend it was really tough to take,” he told The Journal.
“Having to find out the things that he’s found out, it was heartbreaking.”
Ben said he and Cian’s other friends are “absolutely gutted” for him, but he’s taken the diagnosis “in his stride”.
“He’s always got a smile on his face … What a way to go about it – tackling it head on,” said Ben.
“They’re going down with a fight.
“We honestly couldn’t be prouder.”
The run started at 10am this morning and the boys crossed the finish line after 2pm, covering their final 42-kilometre run.
Jordan and Cian Adams have received an overwhelming response from the people of Ireland, as runners and supporters from each county have turned out in their droves in good and bad weather conditions to show their support for the boys and the cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Aoife Corry from Donegal ran alongside the many others today as she said the support was amazing along the route.
She said she “cried so much” during Jordan’s powerful speech to the crowd upon completing the marathon today.
“Both my grandparents have Alzheimer’s, and my grandad died in October last year from it – and obviously the boys here are a lot younger, but it really hits home”, she said through tears. “They are just so inspirational.”
Jordan Adams spoke to The Journal a few weeks ago when they had just surpassed their initial target of £1 million.
The brothers have now reached £1.6 million (€1.8 million) with 65.5k donations going directly to their FTD Brothers Foundation.
Supporters can donate through the brothers’ GoFundMe page here.