Hi.  For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Freddie Sheffield, and I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2.  My family and I have undertaken a MAD Challenge to raise funds for SMA research.

 

THE CHALLENGE - Day one C2C 17th July

Our Coast-to-Coast expedition started at 12noon today on the beach at Bowness on Solway. Torrential rain, mixed in with a few rays of sunshine made for hard going for the first 5 miles. Good progress was made by the team and Freddie powered on to Burgh on Sands, splashing through rain soaked roads. Lunch was held sheltered outside 'The Greyhound' underneath the statute of Edward I. The afternoon started well but new batteries were required 3 miles from Carlisle. The support team arrived with fresh batteries and within 30 minutes the team set off again for the city of Carlisle. Day one finished in Rickerby Park, just north/west of the city.

THE CHALLENGE - Day two C2C 18th July

The day started with with a live radio interview on the breakfast show on BBC Newcastle.  Our expedition moved off from Rickerby Park towards Brampton.  Bright sunshine and no complications.  Rain set in again at lunch time and battery change was conducted in the boot of the car.  A wet descent into Lanercost valley, but safely back to our base for the week.  We have now completed 30.2 miles of our route. 

THE CHALLENGE - Day three C2C 19th July

Our first full walk day, covering approx 11 miles from Lanercost to the Roman Army Museum. Team Freddie was joined by more supporters with perfect weather conditions and stunning views from the top of Hadrian's Wall. The youngest members of the team kept pace with the wheelchair and succeeded in reaching the picnic stop at Birdoswald.  The afternoon involved crossing the border into Northumberland before climbing a steep hill to the Museum.

THE CHALLENGE- Day four C2C 20th July

Our second full walk day tested the team to their limits. Poor weather conditions and a distance miscalculation of some 5 miles caused a few aching limbs and sore feet! Added to which the support car lost its way in the hills and the picnic lunch arrived 2 hours behind schedule. Cold and hungry children kept going in the knowledge that this was all part of the MAD challenge. We finished about 4 miles short of our target.

THE CHALLENGE - Day five C2C 21st July

The whole team started at Once Brewed, where we split into two teams - cyclists and walkers.  The cyclists, along with Freddie, set a rapid pace, and ended up accomplishing 11 miles before lunch, having passed the highest point on Hadrian's Wall.  Meanwhile the walkers travelled 3 miles over rough terrain, passing the iconic "Sycamore Gap" used in the Robin Hood film along the way.  Lunch was held at a pub just outside Hexham, and was followed by the two groups merging to end the day outside Hexham Abbey.

THE CHALLENGE - Day six C2C 22nd July

The cyclists started in Hexham and completed about 7 miles, when they were joined by the walkers after Corbridge, and understandably made slightly slower progress.  We then set a good pace along the River Tyne until Ovingham, where they stopped for lunch.  When lunch was finished, a reporter from BBC Newcastle arrived by arrangement and he interviewed everyone!  Listen out for us on BBC Radio Newcastle on Monday at 7.20 and 8.20 am if you're in the area, or on the website.  After lunch, rapid progress was made until we reached Wylam, the birthplace of George Stephenson, some 25 miles away from the finish line. 

THE CHALLENGE - Day seven C2C 24th July

We set off from George Stephenson's cottage in Wylam, and headed along the River Tyne to Newburn.  Leaving the countryside behind, we reached the more suburban and industrial sites of Newcastle.  We stopped for lunch on the banks of the river, before making it to the centre of Newcastle.  We passed the Millenium Bridge, and saw the magnificent Sage Theatre as we approached the end of the day, with just 10 miles left for the ultimate day of the MAD Challenge.

THE CHALLENGE - Day eight C2C 25th July

The day started at 8.20 with another live interview on BBC Radio Newcastle.  Our final trek began at 10.30, in the middle of the city, and good progress was made towards Tynemouth.  Before stopping for lunch, we came across our first view of the North Sea in the distance.  Afterwards, we made our way from the fish markets, along the promenade, to the famous statue of Admiral Collingwood, which was our finish line.  In true Coast to Coast tradition, Freddie dipped his wheels in the sea, as he had done at the beginning of the journey, nine days ago.  Thank  you all for supporting us so much with our MAD Challenge.  It has an amazing experience for us all, and we know that the funds raised will make an enormous difference to important research into SMA.

You can also follow us with this link to follow us on Twitter.

WHAT IS SMA?

SMA is currently untreatable and often fatal. SMA is the leading genetic killer of infants and toddlers. This deadly genetic defect results from a missing Survival Motor Neurone gene. As the motor neuron network deteriorates, the body loses the ability to send messages to control muscles which then waste away - eventually causing death.

However strong foundations have been laid by researchers for the development of clinical trials and treatment and now is the time to build, gain and maintain the momentum of this research. This is why I feel that it is important to raise the money now, not just for myself but for all future generations who carry the gene that causes this cruel condition. For more information please visit the SMA Trust website.

 

LIFE WITHOUT SMA

I have thought for a long time about what life would be like for me without SMA.  Even small things like being able to pick up a piece of paper, or getting dressed in the morning would enable me to have much more independence, and not have to rely on others the whole time.

And I’ve often considered how good I would be at sports.  Would I be a goalkeeper or a striker?  Would I beat my friends at tennis?  Or would I be in the 1^st XV rugby team? 

All these things, most people take for granted, but for me, they would revolutionise my life and the lives of many others like me.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

Sponsoring theTeam Sheffield MAD Challenge through JustGiving is simple, safe and 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.

If we can accomplish this target, and raise enough money, then people’s lives would be changed.  Forever.

So please can you sponsor us for this great cause.