Jamie McDonald, a man whose extraordinary fundraising feats have already raised over £1 million for good causes, is now confronting a deeply personal challenge: the profound loneliness experienced by children in hospital.
From Personal Struggle to National Mission
The 39-year-old from Gloucester knows this isolation firsthand. Born with syringomyelia, a rare spinal condition, he spent much of his first nine years in and out of hospital. He also battled a debilitating immune deficiency, epilepsy, and serious problems with his legs, leaving his family fearing he might never walk.
"I remember the days when I was alone," Jamie recalls. "This one nurse who put her hand on mine, that is what I needed. My mum and dad never wanted to leave me, but they had jobs and my brother was at home. Dad was a bricklayer and mum was a cleaner; they had to work to put food on the table. There was a financial hardship there."
A Lifetime of Extreme Fundraising
After his symptoms eased at age nine, Jamie embarked on an incredible journey of endurance fundraising. It began in 2012 when he cycled 14,000 miles from Bangkok to Gloucester on a second-hand bike bought for just £50.
His exploits since are the stuff of legend: 210 marathons conquered, a 5,000-mile run across America from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and multiple world records. He holds the title for the longest time spent on a static bike at 268 hours over eleven days, and the most miles run on a treadmill in seven days – an astonishing 524 miles, equivalent to three marathons.
His efforts earned him a Pride of Britain award in 2019 and have collectively raised a staggering £1 million for various charities.
Ward Buddies: A Friend When It Matters Most
Now a married father-of-three, Jamie has launched his most personal project yet: Ward Buddies. The charity's specialised team provides vital companionship and emotional support to young patients who find themselves alone on the ward.
According to medical experts advising the charity, one in 10 children are left alone for at least one night, while more than 10,000 wait seven or more days for a single visit from someone they know.
"Ward Buddies will bridge that gap," says Jamie. "It's about making sure care of the heart is treated alongside care of the body for children during recovery. You can be in hospital surrounded by so many people, but they can all feel like strangers. That feeling of abandonment is happening everywhere, but it's no one's fault – not the doctors or parents."
The charity already has 25 active volunteers and successfully piloted the scheme at Birmingham Children's Hospital for six months. Jamie plans to highlight the issue further by running another marathon with a break to sleep in a tent outside the same hospital.
"We truly believe we can end this hidden crisis," Jamie states, "but it's a long road ahead, and we'll need the nation's help to get there. Every single donation, big or small, makes a huge difference." The charity aims to raise enough funds to roll out the scheme in hospitals across the UK.
