In a powerful display of courage and determination, Mark O’Brien, a 55-year-old man living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), is preparing to set two world records in a single day — by completing swim sprint challenges in two different countries.
Diagnosed with the terminal condition in 2022, O’Brien, who holds dual UK and Irish citizenship, will begin his challenge on Sunday with a swim in Luton, England, before flying to Dublin, Ireland, to complete his second sprint — aiming to become the first person with MND to complete such a feat in two nations within 24 hours.
O’Brien, from Slip End, Bedfordshire, already holds a Guinness World Record for the longest unaided open water swim by a person with MND, and continues to be inspired by sports legends Rob Burrow and the late Doddie Weir, who have both raised awareness for the condition.
“This is about showing what’s still possible, even in the face of something like MND,” O’Brien said ahead of the challenge.
His extraordinary effort is not only pushing the limits of physical endurance but also raising vital awareness and support for MND research and advocacy across both the UK and Ireland.
