This Friday I will find myself on the start line of the 2018 UTMB in France!

The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) is a 100mile race over the Alps around Mont Blanc with 10,000 Metres (30,000 ft) of ascent, it starts in Chamonix and the course takes you through Italy, Switzerland and finally finishes back in Chamonix... hopefully between 40 and 46 hours later?????

Although this is a personal challenge that I have been lucky enough to qualify for, I would like to raise money and awareness of the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. I would like to thank everyone so much who have already generously supported me and donated to my chosen charity, this is hugely appreciated and has given me much needed enthusiasm to train over the last year(s)!

The My Name'5 Doddie Foundation has two aims: firstly, to raise funds for research into the causes of MND and investigate potential cures, and, secondly, to make grants to sufferers of MND and enable them to live as fulfilled a life as possible.

Doddie, our friend and favourite No.5 on the rugby pitch was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in December 2016. Since then he has worked tirelessly raising funds and awareness in order to eventually find a cure. Motor neurone disease (MND) describes a group of diseases that affect the nerves (motor neurones) in the brain and spinal cord that tell your muscles what to do. With MND, messages from these nerves gradually stop reaching the muscles, leading them to weaken, stiffen and waste. 

Help him in his quest to find more effective treatments for Motor Neurone Disease sufferers.

I have no idea what it'll be like (I do really!) but my pain will only be temporary, unlike Doddie'5 illness, so please give generously for one of the good guys, not just in rugby but in life and I'll beast myself for 2 days straight!

JustGiving sends your donation straight to My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more... so if you have any money to spare, or just want to wish me 'good luck', I would be really grateful.. I'll see you on the other side!

Thank you all so much for your amazing support!

xSimon.