Story

Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page for the UBS Clearing Dudes for Team Octavia.   One day at work, Tim Woodward sent us the details of his Mad Challenge (<a title="http://www.justgiving.com/team-octavia" href="http://www.justgiving.com/team-octavia">http://www.justgiving.com/team-octavia</a>) to raise money for The SMA Trust (see below). We couldn't stay out of it, so here we are, doing the 3 Peaks Challenge - Totally MAD. The team is "La creme de la creme" of UBS Clearing team: Patricie Lacourarie - who is fully trained for the challenge after going up boxhill (once, for about an hour) Ruth Cranston - who believes walking up and down the stairs to the 5th floor is training for the challenge Nick Clark - fully trained in walking from London to Harpenden, in the middle of the night Colin Wood - the motivator (or the one to blame) Nick Short - the only one who has a clue about what we are about to do. Really. Ashley Williams - british military trained. Kilimanjaro was not the same after her visit Claudia Quintela - training regularly in stilletos (both walking in them and throwing them at random people) Cleyton Tierney - the Lottery Man, who has failed to win us Euromillions on several occasions, and is therefore the designated driver. So please give generously, any amount small or large, are so appreciated - all going to the Momentum campaign of the SMA Trust Thanks so much!   What is The SMA Trust? The SMA Trust is the only charity in the UK dedicated to raising funds for research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA is the leading genetic killer of toddlers and babies. SMA affects the motor neurons in the spinal cord, causing muscular weakness, severe disability and premature death. 50% of the most severely diagnosed cases result in death by the age of two. 1 in every 40 people carries the gene that causes this disease (around 1.5million people in the UK).   What is the momentum Campaign? The charity has launched an appeal, the momentum Campaign, to raise £2million for more research into SMA. Researchers believe they are tantalisingly close to finding affective treatments. There has been some considerable progress in research into SMA around the world in recent years and the charity wants to build on, and maintain, that momentum. SMA is currently incurable and untreatable. Research is hope for families affected by this disease.   How are we raising money?  As part of The MAD! Challenge (Momentum ADventure World Challenge) we are trying to raise as much as possible towards the overall total by completing the "3 Peak Challenge": climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours over the weekend of 18th June.