A Frome man, Jonathan Alexander Francis (known as Alex) has sadly died following a three-year battle with motor neuron disease (MND). His family is now calling for people to help celebrate his life at an event on Friday 20th May.
Alex’s family said, “Alex requested a celebration of life be held in his honour as opposed to any traditional funeral service. We request all of his friends and loved one to join us in a celebration of his life at Marston Park, Tuckmarsh Lane, Frome, BA11 5BP on Friday 20th May 2022 at 4pm. There will be a ceremony of remembrance in the woods followed by music and dancing into the night.
“Alex was a well-known and loved member of Frome’s running community, and he was known further afield for his ultra-distance running adventures including The Oner (an incredibly challenging 82-mile run along the Jurassic Coastline from Charmouth to Studland) and the Trans Alpine Run, a 250km+ run crossing the Alps from Germany through Austria into Italy, which he completed with his wife Laura in September 2018 just months before being diagnosed with ALS.”
Alex and his family previously praised the generosity of the local community after they managed to raise £12,000 to support the family during Alex’s battle. The family had previously said they have pledged to raise over £1million to help fund research into a cure for the disease, raising over £490,000 so far!
His family continued, “After his diagnosis, and being unable to run anymore but never one to be defeated, Alex took up open swimming at Vobster Quay, a 40m deep former quarry a few miles from Frome; his last swim was in September 2021, an incredible achievement as he had been unable to walk for two years at that time.
“Alex will be dearly missed and always remembered by everyone he met as kind, warm-hearted and inspirational in how gracefully he dealt with the incredibly difficult challenge of MND.
“Alex was predeceased by his father Arthur Kier Francis. He is survived by his mother Karen Francis, brother Oliver, wife Laura and children Lois and Jago. Alex was buried on 17th March 2022 in a beautiful family ceremony at Bath Burial Meadow, Midford, Near Bath, as per his wishes.”
To RSVP to the event, please register at www.everloved.com/life-of/jonathan-francis/ If you would like to donate to fund research into a cure for MND then visit www.mndassociation.org/alex
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