Story
<p>On the 29th February 2012, I will be taking part in a sky diving event called "Make Today Count - Team 100" for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am doing this to help raise funds for the charity in memory of my Uncle and Godfather, Stephen Gazzard, who passed away on the 1st December 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a neuromuscular condition caused by the lack of a protein called dystrophin. It is a serious condition where muscle fibres break down and are replaced by fibrous and or fatty tissue causing the muscle to gradually weaken.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">Stephen refused to let his disability prevent him from living a fulfilling life; acitvely choosing to help and support others right up until his death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is this inspiration that is the driving force for me to carry on his legacy to help others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know Stephen was keen to support any developments or breakthroughs that could ease the suffering of the next generation of boys affected by this illness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About Make Today Count - Team 100 and where your money will go:</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">2012 is a leap year and the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign are calling on people across the country to use the extra day on Wednesday 29 February to make today count by taking part in one of their fundraising events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be taking part in "Team 100" where 100 people will be skydiving, in aid of the 100 boys a year that are diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Supporters across the UK will be making the day count to fundraise £30,000 to support vital research projects the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is funding.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">If you would like to find out more about this event, or about muscular dystrophy, please visit the website: <a href="http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Donating through JustGiving:</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">So please dig deep and donate now! Thanks :)</p>