A few of you will remember that in late 2005, I raised £2,000 for Save the Children by swimming across the Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan (pictured here). At that time the swim was 3.3km or roughly 2 miles and I completed it in 55 minutes. It is now time for the new challenge and this one is significantly more daunting. A friend (and fellow Lotus owner), Stewart Rush has appealed for help to raise money for Action Duchenne, a National Charity raising funds to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. All funds raised will go directly to research and not to administration fees. Duchenne is a severe muscle wasting disease that affects mainly boys and without treatment most of these young men are completely paralysed by their early teens and die by their late teens or early 20s. More details are at the end of this. Stewarts son, Joe (currently 6 years old) has this disease. THE CHALLENGE: On the 4th Oct '08 at the Wycombe Sports Centre, 20 competitors including Stewart and myself are going to attempt to swim 1 mile on the hour, every hour, for 24 consecutive hours! We will burn between 8000 and 11500 calories each (equivalent to 15 roast dinners), hence sustaining food intake and keeping it down is going to be a further essential challenge! With each individual person swimming further than the English Channel, we're also hoping that during this mammoth challenge we claim ourselves a new world record - that of 'covering the most miles by a team in any one 24 hour period' - 480 miles!!! PLEASE SUPPORT US AND HELP SAVE THESE KIDS LIVES. THANKS BARRY WHAT IS DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY? Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder caused by an error in the dystrophin gene. The condition causes progressive muscle weakness as the muscle cells break down and die. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare condition. About 100 boys are born with the condition in the UK each year and there are about 1,500 boys with the disorder living in the country at any one time. Duchenne muscular dystrophy, named after the doctor who first studied this specific condition in the 1800s, mainly affects boys, with extremely rare exceptions. Most affected boys show the first symptoms when they are aged between one and three. The features include: * being unable to run or jump as well as their peers * a difficulty climbing stairs * a difficulty getting up from the floor As they get older and the condition progresses they may be unable to walk as far or as fast as other children, occasionally even falling down. Some boys may also have learning and/or behavioural difficulties which start to show at this stage. WHY ACTION DUCHENNE? Action Duchenne (Formerly PPUK) exclusively funds research for a cure and promotes campaigns for better medical care for Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy. Duchenne is so severe that young men are totally paralysed by late teens and die young from respiratory or heart failure. Your donations and support will help us end this tragic waste of young lives.
Raised so far: £1,063.00
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good luck training buddy Donation by Amanda on 31/08/08 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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Watch out for the sharks and fish...! Good luck...! Donation by Simon G on 28/08/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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I thought I was mad doing Ironman but this none takes the biscuit. Respect mate! Donation by Sam on 28/08/08 |
£20.00 |
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go for it big boy Donation by Colin Abraham on 22/08/08 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Best of luck! Your fast car won't help much with this challenge! Donation by George Watson on 15/08/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Impressive! Donation by Matt & Lauren on 11/08/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Good luck! Donation by Amy He on 06/08/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Good luck! Donation by Nicky Robinson on 04/08/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Respect! Good luck and many happy returns! Donation by Angela on 04/08/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Good luck Barry and team !! Donation by James on 04/08/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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I have no idea who you are...but sounds like a great thing you're doing. Best of luck, Jo (new to Ineos)!! Donation by Joanne Miles on 04/08/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Good luck Barry Donation by Peter Rose on 04/08/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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All the best to you and the rest of the team Donation by Davida on 04/08/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Please don't drown, we need hilarity in the office! Donation by Wee Craigy on 04/08/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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At least triathletes get to rest their arms! Good luck Donation by Andrew Lanham on 02/08/08 |
£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid |
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Good luck Barry. As we discussed yesterday over a curry and pints: don't forget to eat curries throughout for the outboard motor effect! Donation by Arnold on 01/08/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Go for it Barry ! You never know what you can do til you try ! Donation by andy on 01/08/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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you are insane but we all knew that! Break the record and good luck with beating your fund raising target as well. Donation by Billy on 28/07/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Best of luck - we will be cheering you on from the other side of the pond! Donation by Kim on 28/07/08 |
£15.00 |
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For an insane beggar Donation by Gus on 24/07/08 |
£25.00 |
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Barry, good luck! I'm sure you'll set the record! Donation by Skip on 23/07/08 |
£50.00 |
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I am sure you can break the world record... Good luck!!! Donation by Harry Heo on 23/07/08 |
£10.00 |
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as long as you dont wear flippers!! Donation by keith newlands on 22/07/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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A very good cause.....best of luck!!! Donation by Jared on 21/07/08 |
£25.00 |
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good luck! Donation by rebecca bellinger on 18/07/08 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
| * Total raised online: | £1,063.00 |
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| Offline donations: | £0.00 |
| Mobile donations: | £0.00 |
| Total Raised: | £1,063.00 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £116.32 |
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