The ugly face of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) entered my family’s lives in July 2015, when my wife (Emily) started complaining of “pins and needles” and “tingling” in her legs. Since then our whole world has changed. After a multitude of scans and blood tests she was formally diagnosed with the disease in early October. It was a long, mentally, and physically painful wait for all of us all. It was a moment I will never forget, the terror of the prognosis and the possibilities that faced us. Since then Emily has confronted everything with courage and determination. And although at the moment the disease is quite mild, she has her good days and her very bad days. The thing with MS, is it operates in a massive spectrum, both with its symptoms and severity of them. Whilst “lucky” at the moment with the severity of Emily’s MS, we are all too aware that at the drop of a hat it could all change with life altering consequences.

Throughout this entire sequence of events there was a source information and support we could turn to for invaluable help.

The MS Society

The MS society funds research, give grants, campaigns for change, provides information and support, invests in MS specialists and lends a listening ear to those who need it.

They are the biggest charitable funder of MS research in the UK. Scientists are now carrying out more MS research than ever-before on breakthrough treatments and future developments thanks to the MSS.

For an entire list of the services the Multiple Sclerosis Society provides, visit here.

Every day in the UK, 14 people are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It's a life-long, chronic condition for which there is currently no cure. The MSS are fighting to improve treatment and care to help people with MS take control of their lives. Over 100,000 people in the UK suffer from varying degrees of MS. I can honestly say, the MSS make a difference to ALL of them, be it research into treatment, grants for health care, support for sufferers or just a clear concise, accurate leaflet of information.

At times I feel powerless in helping Emily through her ordeal. And whilst medically it is impossible to currently cure MS, I can help fund the research into a potential breakthrough/cure.

How????

The only way I know how............ Sheer lunacy.

The plan is to cycle 1000 miles in 7 days!

Yes, 1000 miles, the equivalent of cycling from London to Madrid, in a week. Unassisted carrying everything I need on my back/bike. I have previously cycled from Cambridge to Paris (about 350 miles) in a leisurely 4 days. But this new venture is a different animal completely. Almost 3 times the distance in a little under twice the time frame. It works out at about 150 miles a day, which realistically equates to 12-14 hours a day of cycling if you factor in Cars/Trucks/Hills and old ladies on mobility scooters. Probably more after days 3-4 – I’m getting old.

Just to up the ante, I have penciled in early July (Training injuries allowing) for my latest act of idiocy, so I could well end up with a good dose of heat stroke too!

I’m no wordsmith, and cannot truly convey the roller-coaster of emotions that come hand in hand with MS as well as the obvious physical implications. It is a brutal disease if left diagnosed and untreated. Please if you can donate anything to this wonderful service – “The MS Society”, I would be truly grateful. My donation page can be found here! and don't forget if you are a UK resident, hit the Gift-aid button for the Taxman to give an additional 28%

I understand that it still may be a time until I complete this challenge, but every donation will encourage me to get my fat arse off the sofa and actually train for this (in my eyes) herculean task.

Just to prove that I’m keeping my end of the deal I’ll keep you updated via my:

Blog (Occasionally): Here!
Strava profile page: Here!
Facebook Page: Here!

I thank you all in advance.

Peace and love,

James