On July 4th, 2026, while many will be celebrating the summer weekend, Finn and Ben will be facing down one of the most grueling physical trials of their lives. The father-son duo is set to tackle a 50km Ultra Challenge through the rugged, beautiful, and unforgiving terrain of the Peak District. With steep climbs, unpredictable footing, and a distance that pushes the human body to its absolute limits, it is an intimidating feat for any seasoned athlete. But for Finn and Ben, the motivation to cross the finish line goes far deeper than personal fitness; they are running for Reverse Rett, and more importantly, they are running for Lottie.
The Peak District Ultra Challenge enforces a strict minimum age of 16 to enter. Having just hit that milestone, Finn will be one of the youngest participants on the course. While most teenagers might spend their summer relaxing, Finn is stepping up to the starting line alongside his dad, Ben, who is already a veteran of two ultra-marathons. Finn shares that he cannot wait to tackle the challenge, expressing immense excitement about sharing the experience with his father. He acknowledges that the terrain will be incredibly hard, but notes that every step is worth it to help make his sister’s life better.
Lottie is Finn’s sister and Ben’s daughter. She lives with Rett Syndrome, a devastating genetic condition that primarily affects young girls, severely impacting their ability to speak, walk, eat, and breathe easily. Yet, if you ask her family to describe Lottie, they do not focus on her diagnosis, but rather on her vibrant spirit. She is a superstar who brings immense joy and happiness to her family. Her smile and laugh are entirely infectious, and she uses her wonderful sense of humor to wrap people around her little finger. Lottie is also one of the bravest people her family knows; living with a disability is tough, but she simply gets on with it. Her family notes that she would be tackling this ultra challenge herself if she were able. Because she cannot, Finn and Ben are lending her their legs for 50 grueling kilometers.
The fight against Rett Syndrome is a marathon in its own right. As a family, they have been fundraising for Reverse Rett for over a decade. When they first began their journey, the medical outlook for children diagnosed with Rett Syndrome was bleak. Treatments were strictly focused on managing symptoms, and the prospect of a cure felt like a distant dream. Today, however, the landscape has been completely transformed. Thanks to the relentless fundraising of families like Lottie's and the targeted work of Reverse Rett, two clinical trials for gene therapies are actively underway. For the first time in history, disease-modifying treatments have become a tangible reality.
This is a pivotal moment in medical history, and maintaining momentum is vital. Reverse Rett relies heavily on public support to continue accelerating these life-altering treatments. Every donation made to Finn and Ben's trek will make a direct difference to Lottie and thousands of children like her, pushing science closer to a cure. Hope is an incredibly powerful thing, and on July 4th, as Finn and Ben conquer the big hills and tough terrain, they will be carrying that hope with them through every single mile.
www.justgiving.com/page/ben-lashbrooke-3
