My name is Richard. I’m the founder of Hoist Assisted Holidays. I have Duchenne Muscular ,Dystrophy, a progressive muscle wasting disease for which there is currently no cure. I‘m 31 years old and am completely paralysed and have been ventilator dependent for the last 7 years

The theme of this year‘s World Duchenne Awareness Day is 'Raise Your Voice for Duchenne'.This year's theme emphasises the importance of creating a society with equal opportunities for all Can you help me set set up the first specialised accessible. holiday lodge in NI for people who have life limiting or terminal illnesses who rely on specialist equipment such as hoists , profiling beds, supportive shower chairs , changing benches and more to meet their care needs This will hive those who have the most complex care needs and their families an opportunity for the first tome locally to have a few days away in accommidation equipped to meet gheif needs

This years theme has inspired me to take up a challenge of rolling 7.9 km a day for 10 days As I have complex health needs that need to be carefully monitored and managed this will be a tough challenge but one that I’m looking forward to taking up. I’ve chosen to do 7.9 km a day as it connects wirh Duchenne Awareness Day falling on the 7 day of the 9 month in recoginition of the 79 exons on the dystrophin gene which can cause Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy if there is a small genetic fault in one of them

I would really appreciate if you can support me as I take up the challenge Your donation will be very much appreciated.