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Homecoming celebration for FTD brothers sells out

Susie RackWest Midlands
News imageBBC/Phillip Stoneman Two men are standing side-by-side, holding up an Irish tricolour flag - which is three vertical stripes of green, white and orange - are posing for photographs. They are standing with their arms outstretched, almost around each other, as they hold out the flag behind their backs. They are both wearing light-green running t-shirts, and have short dark hair and broad smiles. In the background two people are visible looking towards one another. BBC/Phillip Stoneman
Cian and Jordan Adams will be welcomed home by 1,500 people in Astwood Bank, near Redditch

A homecoming event for two brothers who have raised nearly £2m for dementia research, in memory of their mum, has sold out in hours.

Jordan and Cian Adams crossed the finish line together in front of a large crowd in Dublin last Thursday after completing a challenge of 33 marathons in 33 days.

The pair, from Redditch, Worcestershire, have both inherited the rare gene that caused their mother, Geraldine, to die from frontotemporal dementia (FTD) aged 52.

Family friend, Alex Doyle, said the ticketed event for 1,500 at Astwood Bank Cricket Club would allow locals to "shout the roof off Redditch" to properly welcome them home.

Known as the FTD brothers, the pair have arrived back in Redditch after their extraordinary challenge, which started with the London marathon, then took in every county in Ireland.

News imageBBC/Phillip Stoneman Jordan and Cian Adams crossing the finish line wearing bright green tshirts, black shorts and running trainers. They are both waving green white and yellow Irish flags. Crowds stand behind metal barriers on both sides of a track. Two women in bright green t-shirts run behind themBBC/Phillip Stoneman
Jordan and Cian have a rare gene that means they are likely to develop dementia in their forties

Redditch Borough Council leader, Matt Dormer, previously confirmed "something" would happen in the borough to celebrate the inspiring pair's achievements.

Doyle, who has organised the celebration with Nigel Watson from Redditch Stars Running Club, said it would start at 10:00 BST and finish at 12:00 BST.

"It'll be like a finish line that's not a finish line," she said, adding there had been an "outpouring" of people offering to help.

The brothers are from Astwood Bank, she explained, and tickets were released for locals the night before to ensure the village came out to celebrate.

"I want them to soak it in," she said. "I want them to enjoy every second."

The brothers have received a letter of congratulations from the Prince of Wales, who wrote he was "incredibly impressed" with their "inspiring journey and ambitious challenge".

News imageNigel Watson A man in a white t-shirt and black cap, with black rucksack straps over his shoulders. He is wearing a serious expression and looking at the camera. He has a white beard and is standing outside, with green trees behind him.Nigel Watson
Nigel Watson praised the FTD brothers, describing them as "heroes"

Watson, who has mentored the brothers through some of their toughest ultramarathon feats, said the "low key" homecoming was the result of local demand.

"We wanted to let the people of Redditch welcome these boys home," he said, going on to praise the brothers' achievements.

"It takes a mindset for ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

"They've taken adversity and turned it into something really positive where it's not just for themselves, it's for other people and other families that are struggling with this awful condition.

"The word heroes gets used too often, but these two boys definitely are."

He added the event would also introduce attendees to some of the "invisible heroes" who had supported the brothers throughout their multi-marathon bid.

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