'My pupils keep me going through MND fight'

Fourteen months ago, Rob Hasler had a very different life.

The Cheshire teacher loved to run and was known for his regular marathons, inspiring his primary schoolchildren and completing his personal best at the Manchester marathon in April 2024.

But, shortly after stepping over the finish line, Rob's body shut down and he knew something was seriously wrong.

The diagnosis that followed changed his and his family's life forever.

In October, Rob was told he had motor neurone disease (MND), a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system.

"At the end of the Manchester marathon, my whole body shut down, every single muscle cramped," he said.

"Knowing what I know now, I had definitely had the symptoms.

"Some part of the MND was attacking my body, but I still got a personal best and I am still alive to tell the tale."

It has been that positivity that has helped Rob through and seen him continue to inspire his pupils.

His school, Dean Valley Community Primary School, in Bollington, and the local community have set themselves a challenge to help Rob carry on teaching for as long as possible.

Raising £25,000 so far, the school and other members of the local community have climbed 1.2 miles (2km) up local landmark White Nancy 2,025 times.

Their challenge has seen a different group or walker will walk to the top of Kerridge Hill every day.

The school's head teacher Vicky McPherson said Rob was "an amazing teacher".

"He has given so much to so many children, he's a phenomenal support at school, he's the kind of member of staff that we all dream of having," she said.

"For him to be able to have that opportunity to carry on and for it to be as normal as possible is important to us."

Rob's efforts have seen him get support from MND campaigner and rugby league legend, Kevin Sinfield.

The retired player, who has completed challenges in support of his former teammate Rob Burrow, who died last year from the degenerative condition, sent a video message.

In it, he wished the teacher "good luck with everything you're doing mate and the journey ahead", adding: "We are thinking of you."

Rob said the fundraising and support had been "emotional and overwhelming".

"Having MND is incredibly unfortunate but I've never really seen it like that," he said.

"I have looked at other people in the MND community and there's a lot of people who share the same thing, support, friendship, it brings everyone together.

"I think about long-term, I think about my children mainly and that's the heartbreaking bit, but being surrounded by the class and being supported is just fantastic."

He said he was determined to keep going and has started using walking sticks to keep him in the challenge.

"You get used to those kind of things," he said.

"It takes a little bit of time but it is all positive, I can still live a healthy life."

He said it was continuing to teach that was helping him deal with the issues he has faced.

"Working is what keeps me sane," he said.

"If you're a teacher... whatever is going on in your life, the second you're in front of the class of 30 children, all of your worries disappear.

"Children are just incredible."

Some of the children at the school that have taken part in the daily challenge said Rob was an inspiration to them.

"He's going through a hard time but he is still staying positive, Phoebe, a Year 6 pupil, said.

Albie, a Year 5 pupil, added that he believed Rob was "very persistent, a very nice person and he's a good teacher".

Rob's children, Felix and Arthur, said they were in awe of the support they had received from family and friends.

Arthur said it was "really nice seeing how much support they bring to my dad and our family".

"I am sad sometimes but it's just nice to see all the support."

Rob said he was simply determined to keep on going.

"If I don't use it I am going to lose it, so it's a case of doing what I can while I can."

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