Nick's fundraising for MND
Nick's fundraising for MND
Nick's fundraising for MND
"Keep a fire burning in your eye
Pay attention to the open sky
You never know what will be coming down...."
by Jackson Browne
Having always been a keen cyclist, a long distance charity cycle had always been on my mind. So following a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in June 2023 it felt like the perfect opportunity to get on an organise one. As well as to 'Do More In '24' - travel with Jill, spend time with the boys, Jane, family and friends.
Having relished my boyhood in Cornwall, then happily living in Suffolk for nearly 40 years it felt that the ride had to be ‘downhill’ to Cornwall and so ‘Suffolk to Sennen’, 444 miles, or fittingly for Rob Burrow, just over 700km in 7 days.
On the sunny morning of Sunday 9th June, we were greeted by a rousing and very uplifting gathering of over 200 people who were up early for our ‘Grande-depart’. With klaxons, hooters, whistles and cheers ringing in our ears, we set off following a lovely route across England’s ever changing landscape, passing through Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Wiltshire and on down into Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, finishing amongst another lively crowd of supporters in the lovely village of Sennen in the early evening of Saturday 15th June.
Over this amazing week we had the enormous pleasure of over 50 different cyclists joining us along the way, and over 50 different friends and family meeting up with us for some very lively evenings - and a celebration of life and friendship.
Whilst the prognosis is rubbish, I wake every morning with the thought of ‘Many New Days’, determined that my MND will not be life defining, that I can remain ‘me’. I very much feel and hope, that by concentrating on and doing the things I can do, rather than reflecting on what’s gone, it will, for Jill, our boys, family & friends ease the difficulties of seeing me living and demising with MND, and enable the continuation of our happy memories of our lives together.
To date I am delighted to have raised over £40,000 (£47,000 including Gift aid) towards my target of £50,000 (plus gift-aid) so a little way to go! These finds shared equally between The MND Association, the myname’5doddie Foundation and Challenging MND all of whom have and continue to support myself and my family, as we move forward on the meandering downhill road that is MND.
Whilst walking is difficult, I'm continuing to push myself riding my trike around the lanes of Suffolk and off-road on the tracks and paths of Sutton Heath
Your donations for my fundraising, as well as support for my self, Jill and family has been amazing
Carpe diem
Nick
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The three charities we are fundraising for provide advocacy, support and hope for the MND community and their families.
• MND Association - to assist their work supporting and caring for MMD sufferers, as well as invaluable research and future treatments
• ChallengingMND - who offer MND sufferers the opportunity to create amazing memories with their family and friends which will last forever.
• My Name’5 Doddie Foundation - The Doddie Weir foundation is committed to helping improve the lives of individuals and families affected by MND, funding research to find a cure. To give a life full of Love, Fun & Hope.
If you would like to support me, Jill and family to enable us to live out the best and fullest life possible, which, in time, will require specialist equipment and alterations to our home, then please go to - https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-Nick-and-family-living-with-MND
£40,801.37
+£7,321.19 Gift Aid
raised of £50,000 target
by 442 supporters