Jack, 25, is a long-time friend of Tommy Salisbury, the inspiration behind the Tommy Salisbury Fund for choroideremia, which has already fundraised over £750,000 to fund research into the condition.

Running the marathon, says Jack, was already on his ‘bucket list’, having watched the iconic event for years alongside his grandparents. “When I was a kid, they used to take me up for the marathon; we'd go to Greenwich and watch the professional runners. They’re excited for me to take part,” he said.

The opportunity came through his friendship with Tommy Salisbury – the fund has had people running in the marathon for Fight for Sight for many years.

Friends that play together, stay together

Jack met Tommy through playing football with him. “I met him through friends who went to primary school with him and have known him a lot longer than I have, but I’ve now known him for longer than I haven’t!”

“My friends had gone to uni, and it happened that I started playing football with Tommy and his friends. They’re friends for life now. Tommy is one of the central figures of the group. We all love him to bits.”

Jack is running for Fight for Sight to support Tommy, who has choroideremia, a rare genetic eye condition that affects men and causes progressive sight loss from childhood due to a gradual loss of cells in and around the retina.

Through being a part of the football team, Jack became aware of all the charity events that the Salisbury Family Fund does on behalf of Fight for Sight. “To be part of it myself is an honour,” he said.

“Tommy's done it, and so have two other mates. We always have a mate each year, and I'm like, ‘wow, they're making a real difference. ’ So, it’s great to be the next one in line.”

• Read Tommy Salisbury’s marathon story.

Inspired by friendship

Tommy inspires Jack, who said, “He motivates you. He’s the person who drags you out and gets you to laugh, and he doesn’t seem to care what people think about him. Tommy is easygoing and up for anything.”

“It’s nice to see someone with that attitude, and he’s also funny. He doesn’t let his vision loss condition get to him.”

So, how does Jack feel about the physical challenge of doing the marathon?

He is, he says, healthier, having started going to the gym, but has faced a few injuries during training. He says one of the biggest challenges is fitting the training around working five days per week as a recruitment consultant in London.

“I have a long day in the office. I'm in the office at eight, so I've got to leave at half six-ish, and I’m not home until half six or seven, and then you drag yourself out for a run and go training.”

Despite that, his training is going well. “As the weeks tick down on my app, I’m thinking ‘this is it now’ and I’m 100% committed to it. I just bought a new pair of running trainers for the marathon. I'm locked in now.”

He added: “I’m looking forward to it. I'm sure the week before it might turn from excitement to nerves, but now I'm feeling excited. Crossing the line will be like a feeling I've never had, an overwhelming sense of achievement, and having everyone around.”

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From Leeds to London: Sally’s story

Sally Van Der Gucht will be running this year’s London Marathon because she is inspired by friendship – in her case, her friend Laura Jones, a talented DJ.

The Leeds-based pair first crossed paths when they were in their carefree university days, said Sally.

“I knew Laura back in our ‘party’ days. I was at Uni. She was at Uni, and we met through a wider circle of friends. We were young and free, and life was far less complicated back then!”

They later reconnected through their children being at school. Sally’s son and Laura’s daughter were in the same class, and the two reconnected through an introductory session offered by the school.

“It just all clicked. Our friendship had a foundation, but when you have children, you feel vulnerable as a parent dropping them off at school for the first time...’. It was so nice having somebody in the same boat that I knew and who was like-minded. That's how we've become closer.”

Running for Fight for Sight

Laura’s DJ career was just beginning when she received a diagnosis of Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy. She has been featured in a video for Fight for Sight and has an established connection with us as a charity.

Through that connection, Sally has secured a place in the marathon, and it’s Laura who has inspired her to run.

Some of the local communities just don't get it. They don't understand that whilst Laura is walking around with a cane, she still has partial sight…and, sadly, the behaviour of a small minority is hugely disappointing. For me, this is about trying to raise awareness and help people understand what an incredible person Laura is and that the vision loss doesn't make her any different.”