James Edwards, originally from Carmarthen, is taking on the London Marathon to raise awareness and funds for Cure DHDDS, a charity supporting families affected by a rare neurological disorder.

Cure DHDDS supports those living with a mutation in the DHDDS gene—affecting fewer than 70 people in the world and causing progressive neurological decline from infancy.

Professor Edwards, who works at the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, said: “This marathon place is a rare opportunity for the charity, and I wanted to do everything I can to make it count for them.”

Affectionately nicknamed the Plodding Professor, Professor Edwards has turned his preparation into a series of increasingly ambitious challenges that always ends with a pudding. He said: “Some traditions must be preserved.”

His efforts began with a 6km Inklings Challenge, connecting the graves of authors J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis in Oxford.

He added: “Running between the tombstones of literary giants felt like a good way to add a bit of narrative tension to my training. If Frodo could walk 1,800 miles, I felt I could at least manage a bit of Oxford.”

Professor Edwards joined Instagram to share his journey and raise awareness—something he describes as nearly as challenging as running itself. Despite the humour in his posts, he is clear that the struggles faced by families living with DHDDS are far more serious.

The charity, Cure DHDDS, was founded by a London family after two of their children were diagnosed with the condition. Due to its rarity, there is limited research and few resources available to affected families.

Professor Edwards said: “DHDDS families have felt abandoned by the system. Many feel incredibly isolated and frightened for their loved ones’ future.”

His training has included a variety of themed runs, such as the College to College Plod through all 44 Oxford colleges, a riverside Top of the Thames run, and a 15-mile Plod to Blenheim Palace—his version of the marathon’s Buckingham Palace finish.

He quipped: “Fewer crowds, more sheep. Felt a bit like home.”

He has also taken on a four-minute mile challenge on the track where Roger Bannister broke the record in 1954. He continued: “Simply finishing without being overtaken by a brisk walker would count as progress.”

Professor Edwards’ journey is part of a larger effort to raise awareness for the rare disorder. Supporters can follow his marathon preparations online as he runs across Oxford and beyond.

The tour is set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their debut album, Popped In Souled Out.

Wet Wet Wet will take to the stage at Oxford’s New Theatre on Tuesday, October 5.

Graeme Clark, founding member of the band, said: “When we made Popped In Souled Out, I was just a young guy.

“Forty years later, those songs have taken on a life of their own, and this tour is about celebrating where it all began without forgetting what followed.”

Released in 1987, the album reached number one in the UK and featured hit singles including Wishing I Was Lucky, Sweet Little Mystery, and Angel Eyes.

The band, now made up of Graeme Clark, guitarist Graeme Duffin, and vocalist Kevin Simm, will perform tracks from the debut album alongside other hits from their career.

Mr Simm said: “I’m really excited to be going back out on tour in 2027 and celebrating 40 years of Popped In Souled Out.

“It’s an absolute honour and a privilege as always to sing these iconic and timeless songs, and to perform them in so many venues across the UK to so many fans of the band is really a dream come true.”

The group’s 2027 tour will include two runs across the UK, in February and October, and will feature special guests on selected dates.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, April 17 at 10am via Ticketmaster.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue service responded to the large animal rescue incident in Denchworth on Friday, at about 6.30pm.

A horse called Max had become stuck in ‘deep mud in a gully’ and was ‘completely exhausted’ when the fire crews reached him.

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Fire engines from Abingdon, Bampton and Wantage, along with Kidlington Fire Station’s specialist rescue tender and an incident support officer, worked with a local vet on the scene.

Specialist equipment was used to carefully free the struggling horse and he was safely recovered.

Max was stuck in deep mud in a gully before he was rescued (Image: Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue)

A statement from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue said: “Yesterday evening, we responded to a large animal rescue incident in Denchworth.

“Max the horse had unfortunately become stuck in deep mud in a gully and was completely exhausted.

“Working alongside a local vet, our dedicated crews and specialist teams used specialist equipment to carefully free Max from the gully.

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“We are pleased to report that the operation was a success and Max is now back on his feet.

“Well done to all involved for their teamwork and expertise.”

Max was pictured upright, though a little mucky, on the scene of the rescue incident, with his owner and fire crews taking care of the horse after his lucky escape.