Thanks for visiting our fundraising page for this Shadwell sponsored event.
Martin Touchin is just 54, and is bravely fighting a daily battle with Motor Neurone Disease-a progressive, debilitating condition that currently has no cure. He does not have much to look forward to. Many years ago, Martin was employed as a Gamekeeper at Shadwell and has regularly brought his skills back to the Estate on shoot days in the intervening years.
Another Martin, Martin Wingrove, our Head Gamekeeper, and Chris Kennard, our Finance Director are both also the wrong side of 50, but count themselves fortunate still to be in reasonable health (if not shape) and wanted to put their lucky throw of the dice to good use. Following a successful and relatively painless "dry run" in the Norwich "100" last year , they committed to cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats in May this year- a distance of around 900miles-to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and for Martin. Research into this dreadful disease does not benefit from as much charitable funding as other diseases with a higher public profile.
They completed the challenge in effectively 9 days-averaging 100+ miles per day.and were supported by Martin Wingrove's wife Maggie, who works in our gardens department, who drove the support vehicle.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum generously started the fund with a donation of £5,000 and underwrote the costs of the challenge so all funds raised will go to the charity.
So please dig deep to support the two Martins, Maggie & Chris.
A day by day account of their adventure can be found on their blog-
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: The Motor Neurone Disease Association 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.
Alternatively, please send a cheque, made payable to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (or to Shadwell Estate Company Limited if for Martin direct) to the following address, fao Alison Rolph
Shadwell Estate Company Limited
Nunnery Stud
Thetford
Norfolk
IP24 2QE
In the event that the target of £20,000 is reached, the excess will now go to a Kidney charity in memory of Chris's brother-in-law, Alan who sadly passed away on Sunday 10th May, a week before Martin & Chris will be setting off from Lands End.
