Joe Granville, 34, from Penarth and founder of Rogue Welsh Cakes, will run the Stockholm Marathon barefoot to raise £15,000 for his friend Nathan James, 35, from Cardiff, who was paralysed from the chest down in a motorbike accident.
Mr Granville said: “I will be running the entire Stockholm Marathon completely barefoot to help raise £15,000 for Nathan following his life-changing spinal injury, which has sadly left him paralysed from the chest down.
“What makes this even more remarkable is the physical and mental challenge that comes with running 26.2 miles barefoot across city streets, all driven by friendship, determination, and a genuine desire to make a difference.”
Mr James, a father of four, now faces daily challenges many take for granted.
Basic tasks such as getting out of bed, moving around the house, or simply entering his home have become obstacles.
His children – Leila, Taliyah, Valencia, and Asia – are adjusting to a new reality that no family should have to face.
The fundraising campaign aims to cover essential home adaptations.
These include a concrete ramp for safe access, bathroom and kitchen modifications to support his independence, and specialist equipment such as a stabiliser wheel for his wheelchair.
The family is also exploring specialist rehabilitation and potential stem cell treatments, options that remain costly and uncertain.
Mr Granville said: “Every pound raised is one less burden on a family already carrying more than anyone should.
“This campaign is about more than money.
“It’s about showing a family that they are not facing this alone.”
So far, the fundraiser has reached just under a third of its goal, with £4,925 raised from 147 donors.
Supporters can follow Mr Granville’s progress and marathon updates through the Rogue Welsh Cake Company Facebook group.
The money raised will go directly towards urgent home changes and give the family a chance to pursue treatments that could improve Mr James’s quality of life.
To donate, visit the fundraising page at https://boomerangcardiff.org.uk/campaigns/help-rebuild-life-for-nathan-and-his-4-children.
