Daniel, who lives in the city, will be taking in the Brighton Marathon for the first time as part of LGBTQIA+ running group, Brighton Front Runners, to help raise money for the MND Association, a cause ‘close to his heart.’
Kelly died just 18 months after being diagnosed with MND - a terminal, neurological condition which affects more than 5,000 people in the UK at any one time. At present, there are no effective treatments or a cure.
Daniel explained: “I’m really looking forward to running the marathon. I’ve done a 20-mile training run and the feeling was amazing! Knowing that I had been able to run that far, it was just euphoric.”
“I’m sure I will be emotional on the day. When I’ve watched marathons before, and when I ran a half marathon, I just started crying halfway round! And this time of course I’ll be thinking about Kelly.
“When you run for a charity close to your heart, it has a lot of meaning to it. Thinking about Kelly will help get me through to the end.”
Kelly was diagnosed with MND having experienced problems doctors initially believed were due to fatigue.
Daniel said: “She knew something wasn’t right.
“I’d heard of MND from the Ice Bucket Challenge and I was aware of Professor Stephen Hawking. But I didn’t know much about the disease and didn’t know anyone who’d had it.
“When I shared on Instagram that I was doing the Brighton Marathon for the MND Association, I had so many messages. So many people got in touch to share their stories of loved ones who’d been touched by MND. It was lovely that so many people reached out having been affected.
“Some of my family and Kelly’s friends will be coming along on Sunday to support me, which will really help when it gets tough.
“Kelly was the most genuine, kindhearted person you could ever meet. She was such a brilliant character, and an amazing friend.
“She would think I was crazy for running a marathon. I don’t think she ever went to the gym in her whole life! But she’d definitely have a glass of champagne waiting for me at the end!”
Daniel will be among 79 #TeamMND runners taking part in the marathon on behalf of the MND Association with the money raised being used to support people living with MND, their families and carers, while funding vital research.
The MND Association’s Libby Hannelle said: “We are so grateful to Daniel and all of the #TeamMND runners for choosing to support the MND Association in this way. To people living with MND and their families their support means so much.
“As well as raising vital funds, our runners will also be helping to raise awareness of a truly devastating disease. The whole MND community will be behind them every step of the way.”
To show your support for Daniel visit www.justgiving.com/page/daniel-lustig-3
To learn more about MND and the work of the MND Association in the Brighton area please visit www.mndassociation.org/support-and-information/local-support/branches/east-sussex-branch