Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page. We are raising funds for the Manchester Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. 

We've signed up for a Sprint Triathlon at Eton Dorney Lake on 21 July 2018, one of the iconic venues of the 2012 Olympic games. The event starts with a 400m open water swim, a 21k bike ride and then a final 5k run back to the finish line. 

Neither of us has attempted one of these three-sport-events before. In fact, Catherine has a bit of a thing about open water following a nasty run in with a hammerhead shark (later confirmed to be koi carp). The thing is, we want to do something for our friend Phil and his gorgeous family. To support him and to support the charity that works tirelessly to care for people whose lives have been unmistakably changed.

Phil is facing this disease head on. He's no stranger to challenges (he's a die-hard Man Utd fan and has stuck with them for the last few seasons) but this particular challenge affects every aspect of his life, the life of his wife, Rachel, and the lives of their two gorgeous, talented girls.

Following a diagnosis like that, you would expect everything to change. And almost certainly a lot has changed. But Phil's remarkably cheery, mischievous,  to-the-brim-with-positivity self hasn't. Being part of the MND community goes some way to ensuring those that have been singled out by this disease don't feel so alone. 

These funds are vital. Not only do they help with researching this awful disease, they assist people whose lives have been completely turned upside down by it. These funds matter: every pound you donate goes towards helping people to be comfortable and to be cared for. 

It's easy to donate. Simply text: walp77 with the amount £ to 70070 or donate using this page. 

1. £300 provides a basic level of respite care for one day.
   
2. £550 could fund a tablet device with communication software giving the ability to communicate with loved ones.
3. £600 will fund a seat riser allowing someone with MND to raise their wheelchair so that they can reach shelves and talk to someone at eye level.
4. £1,000 will pay for detailed analysis of the DNA of someone with MND to help us better understand the causes of the disease.
5. £1,500 funds the installation of a straight stair lift for someone with MND to gain access around the house.
6. £2,000 could fund MRI scans for five study participants, helping researchers better understand MND.
7. £3,500 buys a Lightwriter to give someone with MND the ability to continue to communicate with their loved ones.
8. £4,000 could fund a person with MND to participate in a clinical trial for a year.

Thank you for helping.