Running For Purpose: Son-In-Law Of World Class Artist Will Take on Half Marathon for MND Scotland

Next month, Russ Ball will participate in the Bournemouth Half Marathon in support of his father-in-law, Mark Fennell. A former art director turned full-time world-class portrait artist, Mark is living with Frontotemporal Dementia with motor neuron disease (FTD-MND).

Russ hopes to raise vital funds for MND Scotland to help other people like Mark who is living with the disease: “He has always been there for us. When my own dad passed away, Mark stepped into that role for me.”

Support Russ’ fundraising via his Just Giving page.

Mark, from Oxford, has an extensive career as a professional artist specialising in oil painting. He is an elected member of both the Oxford and the Buckingham Art Society.

His work has been exhibited by the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and in the National Gallery in Birmingham. Mark’s notable subjects include celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson, John Hood (the Lord Mayor of Birmingham), and singer-songwriter John Otway. His work was also featured in the book, Portraits for NHS Heroes, which paid tribute to NHS workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mark has two daughters, five grandchildren, and an extensive network of friends.

One year ago, he was painting from his studio in Brill in Buckinghamshire, swimming four times a week, and playing the harmonica in local bands. Today, aged sixty-three-years-old, he now lives in a care home to manage his needs and has lost the ability to speak.

Mark was initially diagnosed with a rare form of Parkinson’s, but his family agree that the symptoms didn’t quite fit. He experienced falls, slurred speech, and dizzy spells.

At first, the family thought it might be post-concussion syndrome or a lingering effect from a head injury. But as the falls became more frequent and his speech deteriorated, they became increasingly concerned.

Russ said: “Mark lives in Oxford and we live in Bournemouth, so we’re a couple of hours away. We would often visit as a family. One afternoon we visited him at home, and he’d been at a practice session for one of the bands he’s in. He answered the door, and his speech was extremely slurred. I thought perhaps he had been drinking, but he hadn’t.”

“The more symptoms we noticed, the more we were convinced it was a cognitive issue”, Russ added. “ Obtaining answers, securing appointments, or even getting anyone to show interest in our situation was very tricky. We reached Christmas with no answers.”

Mark experienced a very bad fall and was eventually admitted to the John Radcliffe Neurological Centre in Oxford. Following extensive tests, he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease, alongside frontotemporal dementia.

Ten years ago, Mark was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, from which he has since recovered. Russ went on to say: “It makes you wonder if these issues are all connected and if what he is experiencing is mimicking the symptoms of motor neuron disease. Unfortunately, we may never know. He is unable to undergo an MRI scan due to his rapid decline.”

There are around 480 people in Scotland currently living with MND. On average almost 200 people are diagnosed each year in Scotland. The average life expectancy is just 18 months from diagnosis.

MND Scotland is the only charity dedicated to directly supporting people with MND, their families and friends across Scotland.

Despite being told by doctors that he may never to run again due to knee surgeries and osteoarthritis, Russ will take on the Bournemouth Half Marathon on 12 October 2025: “I signed up six weeks ago. Mark has always been the one to help others. Now it’s my turn. I’m doing it for him”.

While living in South Africa, Russ volunteered for a small food aid project during COVID-19 called, Ladles of Love. It has gone on to become one of the country’s biggest charities.

After moving back to Bournemouth, Russ began campaigning for healthier and affordable school meals in England. He is committed to helping primary schools build kitchens and serve nutritious meals to children.

In 2024, he was named as The One Show’s ‘Rising Star’ as part of the Jamie Oliver Good School Food Awards. With the help of his team, he produces 330 nutritious school dinners a day for students at Pokesdown Primary School in Bournemouth.

MND Scotland would like to thank Russ for taking on this challenge and wishes him the very best of luck next month. If you would like to support Russ by donating, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/russell-ball-1

“Mark’s running out of time”, Russ added. “But maybe his story can help someone else”.

For more information about MND Scotland, or if you would like to take on a fundraising challenge, please visit: www.mndscotland.org.uk, email: info@mndscotland.org.uk, or call: 0141 332 3903.

Some of Mark’s notable artwork can be found below: