Thank you for visiting my Just Giving Montane Spine Challenger fund raising team page.

I only took up running a few years ago, not just for the fitness side of things but I needing something to help focus my mind mentally and nudge me out of some struggles I was having.

After being introduced to a lovely local running group running has become a joy and helped me immensely.

After turning 50 I decided that I wanted to give myself a challenge, something to really focus my mind on. Having ran no further than a half marathon I thought maybe a full Marathon, until a good friend of mine gently nudged me towards joining them on the June 2022 Montane Spine Challenger, a 108 mile run along the Pennine way.

Running has helped me so much and with this challenge I wanted to give something back to two special charities.

MS Research & Relief Fund based in Morpeth, Northumberland & The Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team.

Our Friend & Neighbour Anne Evens sadly died a few years ago after bravely battling with MS for so long.

Anne along with her husband Mike were active Team Members with the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team , even after Anne's MS Condition stopped her going into the hills she still volunteered with the team as a radio control operator.

As Anne's MS condition worsened both Anne and her husband Mike were given a lot of help and support from the MS Research & Relief Team at Benmar House in Morpeth, Northumberland.

MSRRF is a charity based in Morpeth, Northumberland which supports people affected by Multiple Sclerosis and their carers. This support comes in the form of Complementary Therapies and Exercise sessions to help ease the symptoms of MS and increase fitness and mobility. It's not just in the North East that we support people affected by MS though - we offer grants for financial assistance throughout the United Kingdom, allowing us to support even more people."

Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team members are all volunteers and give their time to train and to respond to call outs entirely without charge. Indeed, there is a considerable financial commitment made by each team member, who is responsible for the provision of most of their own equipment and all of their own travelling expenses.

Donations are essential in order to cover there running costs and replace out of date and worn out equipment.

After sadly having to pull out of the 2022 event at the 90 mile mark with fatigue and an injury, I am more determined than ever to complete the 2023 challenge, supporting these two great charities.

Thank you again for all your support it means so much ❤️