Stand united for Jon: Navy veteran to tackle Leeds Marathon after devastating diagnosis
In 2023, after 23 years in the Royal Navy, former Chief Petty Officer Jon Over was preparing for his well-earned transition into civvy street.
Years later, tragedy struck. Last March, aged just 42, he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), a debilitating condition that progressively weakens the muscles over months or years. It is life-shortening, and there is no cure.
But rather than lying down and accepting his illness, he has taken it all in his stride – and then some – by setting his sights on the 2026 Rob Burrows Leeds Marathon.
He will be joined by serving and former Royal Navy personnel – known collectively as Team Over – and tens of thousands of others tackling the 26.2-mile course through the 'Capital of the North'.
A rewarding career
Jon spent most of his career at RNAS Yeovilton – largely concentrated in 815 and 825 Naval Air Squadrons – maintaining first Lynx and later Wildcat helicopters.
He enjoyed a couple of brushes with royalty. He dined with the late Queen Elizabeth aboard HMS Victory as part of Trafalgar 200 celebrations in 2005, and in 2008, supported a Lynx helicopter from HMS Iron Duke during a £40m drug interdiction operation in the North Atlantic – with Prince William on board.
A man described as having served the Royal Navy with "distinction, dedication, and humility" by those who knew him, his team launched the endeavour, and the target was to raise £100,000 for various charities against the backdrop of the Tower of London.
His friend, former Royal Navy officer Alistair Crawford, spoke of the "steadiness, loyalty and generosity" of a man who simply got on with the job, inspired confidence in everyone around him, and lifted the people he served alongside.
"In facing Motor Neurone Disease, he has shown a kind of courage that goes far beyond anything any of us learned on operations or exercises," he said.
"Not the loud kind. Not the cinematic kind. But the quiet, relentless strength of a man who refuses to give in to despair, who continues to find purpose, and who continues to think of others.
"That courage is why we stand United for Jon."
Down but not out
Jon's words, delivered by Alistair on his behalf, speak of the inspiration behind this challenge and the unwavering support of his Royal Navy friends and family that will take him all the way to the finish line.
"I was diagnosed with MND in March, and since then, my world has been a bit rough. Struggling with getting to grips with the seemingly impossible challenge of losing my mobility and ultimately my ability to do the things I love," he wrote.
"Then something special happened. I followed closely the incredible journey of Rob Burrows and Kevin Sinfield, and a comment to Al [Alistair] Crawford turned into a challenge like no other."
Rob Burrows, a former Leeds Rhino player, sadly passed away in 2024, four-and-a-half years after he was diagnosed with MND.
The marathon was named in his honour in recognition of the incredible work he undertook alongside his close friend Kevin Sinfield and, together, they raised millions of pounds for research and awareness of the condition.
Call to action
The Team Over mission is simple yet powerful: To support Jon in living as well as he can for as long as he can.
They hope to fund the specialist racing wheelchair he needs for the marathon and raise £100,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Somerset Village Agents.
"So let's begin this journey together," said Alistair. "Let's stand with him, let's run, push and roll with him – and let's do something extraordinary."
Anyone wanting to support Jon and Team Over in reaching their target, can do so here.
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