Published: 6 May 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online
In a “clinical” display of endurance and emotional grit, Jordan and Cian Adams—better known as the FTD Brothers—have officially surpassed their “lifetime goal” of raising £1 million for dementia research. The milestone was reached on Tuesday, May 5, just ten days into their staggering “32 Marathons in 32 Days” challenge across the island of Ireland.
The fundraising surge follows Jordan’s viral 26.2-mile trek at the London Marathon on April 26, which he completed while strapped to a 25kg (55lb) household fridge—a “physical representation” of the invisible weight carried by families living with dementia.
For the Redditch-born brothers, the mission is a “race against time” in the most literal sense.
The Inheritance: Both Jordan (30) and Cian (25) carry the faulty MAPT gene, meaning they are nearly certain to develop Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) in their 40s. They lost their mother, Geraldine, to the same “asymmetric” disease in 2016 when she was just 52.
The “Million-Pound” Milestone: Originally set as a goal they hoped to achieve “before they die,” the brothers reached the £1 million mark decades earlier than expected due to a “160 MPH clip” of public support following their televised London run.
The “Invisible Burden”: “Everyone carries a weight, but they don’t have to carry it alone,” Jordan told supporters. The fridge served as a “flare” to draw eyes to a disease that accounts for less than 1% of dementias but devastates families with “clinical” precision.
Following the London “launchpad,” the brothers pivoted immediately to Ireland to honor their 12 Irish relatives lost to the same genetic mutation.
The Route: Jordan is currently running a full marathon in each of Ireland’s 32 counties, supported by Cian, a professional physio who manages Jordan’s “resilience deficit” of aches, pains, and blisters.
The “Medication Desert” of Hope: The funds are split between Alzheimer’s Research UK and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, aimed at ending the “accountability rot” of underfunded research into a condition that currently has no cure or treatment.
The “Dublin Finale”: The odyssey is scheduled to conclude in Dublin on May 28, with organizers anticipating a “national security emergency” of crowd control as thousands prepare to welcome the brothers for the final miles.
While the diagnosis is a “shadow” over their lives, the brothers have used it as a “license to live,” creating a “golden tone” of positivity from a bleak prognosis.
The “Postcode Lottery” of Life: “I asked my consultant, ‘What can I do?'” Jordan recalled. “She said, ‘You can raise money for research.'” Since that 2018 conversation, the brothers have transformed their “personal tragedy into a public legacy.”
The Global Impact: Beyond the money, the brothers have inspired millions. “To give a voice to families suffering in silence is more important than the million pounds,” Cian noted during a stop in Dundalk.
As the RHS Wisley wisteria reaches its peak and the Southbank Centre celebrates 75 years of progress, the FTD Brothers have reminded the world that “justice has no expiry date” when it comes to medical breakthroughs.
“We thought it would take a lifetime; it took ten days,” Jordan remarked with “speechless determination.” With the King’s Speech on May 13 expected to reference “National Resilience and Medical Innovation,” the £1 million fridge-run stands as a “clinical” victory for every family fighting a “divergent” battle against memory loss.
Jordan still has over 20 marathons to go, but with the £1 million mark in the rearview mirror, the “weight” on his back has never felt lighter.




























































































