My name is Jonathan Stonehouse and my 32 in 72 Challenge is a sponsored extreme mountain walk to be undertaken June 27th – June 29th 2014 in aid of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

The aim of 32 in 72 is to summit all 15 Welsh peaks over 3,000ft, all 8 English peaks over 3,000ft and all 9 Scottish peaks over 4,000ft in 72 hours. This involves a walk of over 100 miles, a 70 mile bike ride and nearly 40,000ft of total ascent. Think Mount Everest and then add another 11,000ft!

I’m undertaking this challenge solo in remembrance of my grandmother, an extremely active woman who was paralysed by a debilitating form of polymyositis late in life. She died of pneumonia brought about by dysphagia in 2011, having been totally bed ridden and unable to eat, drink or swallow for the last nine months of her life.

Muscular dystrophy is an umbrella term for a variety of muscle wasting diseases (myositis is just one example) which affect young and old alike. You can find out more about these conditions by visiting the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's website: http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org/about_muscular_dystrophy/conditions

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign relies almost entirely on voluntary donations. The money raised will helps them to continue their vital work:

- providing free practical and emotional support

- funding research to find effective treatments and cures

- campaigning to raise awareness and bring about change

- awarding grants towards the cost of specialist equipment

Want to Donate?

Please give whatever you can afford. Some examples of what your donation, and what my overall target figure of £5,000, will help fund are provided below.

£35 funds an hour of research that could lead to a treatment or cure to improve and lengthen people's lives.

£50 gives parents one hour with a specialist physiotherapist who can show them the valuable muscle-stretching techniques that could keep their child walking for longer.

£120 funds the Campaign's freephone advocacy and advice telephone service for one day so staff can advise and signpost supporters who are experiencing difficulties with social care, education, access to specialist health care services and employment rights issues.

£150 funds the Campaign's freephone Information Line for one day so staff can provide vital support to families and healthcare professionals on a wide range of conditions and issues.

£300 funds patient information on muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions to be displayed at clinics for patients.

£400 funds a training module for allied health professionals including care advisors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

£500 allows young people with muscular dystrophy and related conditions to get together in their local area, to discuss how best to get jobs, socialise and live independently.

£900 allows the Campaign to make a grant towards the cost of a child's powered wheelchair. 

£2000 funds a local Muscle Group for one year; providing peer-to-peer support and advice to families living with muscular dystrophy and related conditions.

£5000 pays for the Campaign's activities across each of the four Parliaments of the UK; through parliamentary events, lobbies and cross party groups.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally 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 - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you for your support.