My name is Joe Colgan,

thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

On May 28th 2009 I will be undertaking The Pennine Way (about 268 miles) in aid of The Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. I'll be camping along the way and carrying all I should need in a backpack (35lbs) which will be no easy task! I'm almost certain to experience a variety of British weather. In high and wild places this can include dangerous extremes. I'm aiming to complete it in 14 days or under and will be ecstatic if I do it in 10 (imagine doing TEN CONSECUTIVE MARATHONS!)

The is generally regarded as the toughest, most demanding, and most challenging long-distance walk in . The challenge is, essentially, a mental and a logistical one. Adversaries on this walk are terrain, climate and the awesome sense of loneliness. The Pennines - the so-called "backbone of England", form a virtually unbroken spine of high moorland and bleak, empty hill country along the watershed between the east and west coasts, running for some 268 miles from the Trent valley to the Carlisle-Newcastle Gap and on to Kirk Yetholm, Scotland. The total ascent along the Way is about 32,000 feet and you'll know all about it with a heavy pack
By doing this I hope to raise funds and awareness for a thoroughly deserving charity which offers much needed advice, support and hope for those people whose lives are affected by SMA.

On 28^th July 2007 my cousin was born and up to the age of 9 months he developed as any other baby does, meeting all his milestones.  There was no sign that anything was wrong.  Suddenly it was noticed that he was unable to weight bare and had difficulty lifting things. On 23^rd June 2008, after numerous tests we were given the devastating news that he had Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 11.

Type 11 usually presents at around 12 – 18 months of age. Children have the ability to sit up but cannot walk, for some respiratory problems develop which sadly effects their life expectancy.

The news that Joseph has been diagnosed with SMA is extremely devastating and distressing for my whole family as there is no known cure  - yet.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a condition that affects the nerves in an area of the spinal cord called the anterior horn. These nerve cells become damaged, breaking the link between the brain and the muscles. As a result, the muscles can't be used and become wasted or atrophied.

The Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the only national charity in the UK dedicated both to supporting people affected by SMA, and investing in essential research into causes, treatments and eventually a cure for the condition.

By visiting this page you have already helped me achieve one aspect of my ultimate goal, raising awareness. I now need your help to achieve the other aspect and appeal to you to support me for a very worthy cause,

It will go along way to helping the huge efforts that the Jennifer Trust makes towards supporting research in the hope of finding a cure.

So please sponsor me now!

Kind Regards,

Joe.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Jennifer Trust for SMA gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.