Fundraising

Jamie & Liv cycled from London to Paris in 4 days. An incredible achievement raising a total of £1315!

With Challenging MNDbeing newly established it seemed more than fitting that we raised funds for this very worthy cause. On April 1st 2019 we loaded up our bikes and began our near 300-mile journey from London to Paris.

We arrived at Trafalgar Square in the morning of Day 1, wearing our Challenging MNDcycling jerseys. It really was an honour to represent the charity.

It was great to be greeted by friends and family under the Eiffel Tower on Day 4 and the sense of achievement we felt was incredible!
We are both in agreement that this was by far the hardest thing either of us have ever done! It was a real challenge, but we thoroughly enjoyed it and it was well worth the many memories that were made.
A huge thanks goes out to each and every one that supported us on our journey. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Jamie & Liv.

As my 50th birthday approached, my mid-life crisis kicked-in & I started to plan a bike from Lands’ End to John O’Groats (LEJOG), aiming to complete in 7 days (don’t ask me why I chose 7 days!)

After lots of Googling, Strava route planning & extensive use of Travelodge membership, the route was planned.

The group agreed that we should be sponsored & support a charity. Very quickly Challenging MNDbecame the obvious choice. On a personal note Alex & I played rugby together at Brentwood RFC (well I think we did. I never saw Alex, I was way too slow and he was way too quick). His approach & attitude to MND is inspirational & we hoped that some of that would help us on our journey.

The intrepid party set off from Essex on 22nd August, 2021. 5 “cyclists,” Swatts, Noodle Arms, Yardie, Gunny & Brooksie, plus a professional support crew, comprising a Ford Transit van and “The Dads”, Roger & John

The route looked simple on Google maps; Lands End to Exeter, Exeter to Tewksbury, Tewksbury to Warrington, Warrington to Carlisle, Carlisle to Helensburg, Helensburg to Inverness, Inverness to John O’Groats
130 (ish) miles per day, lovely sunny August weather, South-Westerly tail winds, no wrong turns, luxurious accommodation, amazing UK cuisine

The reality was slightly different; head winds, storm Francis, torrential rain, Travelodge beds (actually v. good), a few wrong turns, all u can eat buffets, sanitary pads & water running uphill in Scotland
A fantastic experience, made amazing knowing that we were supporting such a worthy charity & inspirational individual
We raised £8300, had an unforgettable experience & laughed A LOT! (Apart from near Glasgow)

Thank you to all the friends & family who supported & sponsored us.

Keith ran the 2019 Brighton Marathon in under 4 hours!
I’d just to say a huge thank you to everyone that supported and sponsored me for the Brighton Marathon.

In total I have now raised £1300. This year I adopted a different training approach in the hope to stay injury free which worked a treat. The marathon itself was a great experience and a well-run event.

I felt really good up until 20 miles where I hit the head wind and my legs didn’t want to cooperate! However, adrenaline and the determination not to walk kicked in and I carried on running.

I was pleased with my time of 3hrs:46 given the conditions on the home stretch. It was a privilege to run for Challenging MNDand be part of this very worthy charity that Alex, with the help of others, has set up.

I hope that in the future I’ll be able to get involved in other events.
Thanks again.
Keith