Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My wife Suzanne has MS, diagnosed over 9 years ago. Every year we visit the Consultant at the RVI in Newcastle.  Every year we sit in the waiting area and I watch the other patients. Few come with partners, some, like us, walk in and walk out, despite our challenges we count our blessings. Some patients are barely able to walk, others use sticks and some come with their walking frames or with their carer. It looks like a daily struggle and I mean physically and emotionally, a struggle. I look at them, struggling, forlorn and I hear them say, HELP. I think YES I can for I am one of The Everybody’s who can help The Somebody’s.

So where was I..........

A few years ago I cycled the Coast to Coast, 150 miles from Whitehaven in Cumbria to Tynemouth in North Tyneside.  I dipped my back wheel in the Irish Sea one morning in May and my front wheel in the North Sea three days later.  

With the help of many, many people I raised £5000.  This money went to support local people in Durham who suffer with MS.  It also was used at a national level to support further research into the condition.

The following year I got back on my bike and rode from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, the Granite City to Auld Reekie.  Once again raising a chunk of money. I remember in Methil, I met two sisters in their 80s who handed over £20 for the cause.  I also met three Canadians in Princess Street Gardens, over on holiday, who gave me a donation just because I was wearing my MS Cycling top.  Such kindness, such generosity.

I then had a couple of years away from fund raising just to give you all a rest. I still rode my bike if only to maintain my svelte and trim figure!! 

But I am back again getting on my bike, getting on “Auld Reekie" to see if I can raise a few more pounds for the MS Cause.  

This time I am riding from Glasgow to Gretna, such a romantic route.  

Leaving Central Station I will head out to the coast.  Saltcoats, Troon and the fair town of Ayr I will pass as I head to Maybole then onto Stranraer. 

I will then head around the Peninsula to Port Patrick, Drummore and Sandhead before heading to Glenluce.  From there I will head to Wigtown, Newton Stewart and Creetown,  Gatehouse of Fleet, Kircudbright and Castle Douglas will beckon before making my way to Dumfries.    

Finally Bankend, Nith Estuary, Ruthwell will pass me by before Annan and Gretna see the completion of the route. Altogether around 270 miles.  

As well as this route I will complete the Prudential Ride London 100 miles in a day event on August 4th.  Just in case you think ‘is that all he is doing and he expects our support!’

All you friends, relatives and good hearts, The Everybody’s, I am asking you for your support to help all The Somebody’s.

Please do what you can.

You may read about breakthroughs in the relentless struggle against MS.  This is only possible because people like you and others across the country generously support the fight. Each hour of research costs around £90.

In addition to the research I want to support the local Durham Branch of the MS Society. Every day people in our own community struggle to get out of bed, move around the house, get out to see friends or shop for essentials. All the things many of us take for granted.  There are ways their lives can be made easier. Your generosity can help provide transport, mobility aids and opportunities for coming together.  

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition which affects around 100,000 people in the UK.

Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20-40, but it can affect younger and older people too.

Roughly three times as many women have MS as men.

MS is complex, and has many symptoms. Most people won't experience them all, certainly not at the same time.

Symptoms might include fatigue, vision problems, loss of feeling in fingers and toes, severe cramp, muscular pain and difficulties with walking, but MS is different for everyone.

I am asking for your help so that together our efforts can help the individuals in our communities who are blighted by this condition. Your help will also make a difference to those individuals in the future who will benefit from the research.

Finally there are so many good causes and so much need and I know how generous supporters can be.  If you can help I will be very grateful. As they say in the Trossachs 'every little helps The Somebody’s’.' 🚴🏻

Thank you so much.

Eddie 

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