Update 2022 July 21st marks 3 years since I lost my mum to MND, a horrid illness that stopped her, speaking, swallowing and eventually breathing. I am therefore asking for your support once again to stick it to this grim disease!

It’s been a tough few years since with Covid & redundancy thrown into the mix, however every cloud has a silver lining, as it was through caring for my mum, I was led to retrain as an Occupational Therapist. Studying full-time at uni whilst working has meant extra workload and flexible fundraising plans. 

Now however, having successfully completed my second year, I have a Charity Place for Great North Run on 11 September, and need to raise £425. So please give whatever you can, even if just a £1 (as every little helps) & wish me luck!! 💙Thank-you 🧡 

2021It’s the beginning of September and nearly a month since Steve ran over the finish line at Blackpool Tower, having completed 144 miles, Coast to Coast from Bridlington over 7 days. Now the dust has settled, I have had a chance to take in the enormity of the challenge not only for Steve and his family but for me and my family too.

Running the first leg of 21 miles with Steve from Bridlington to Old Malton were fellow Clowne Roadrunners, Katy Taylor, Giles Searby, and Karen Brown. This pushed my running to another level, testing me out both physically and mentally. At 18 miles, when I had a ‘wobble’, they all helped me refocus and carry on.

During the week, Steve ticked off mile after mile with his partner Jane as support and I received regular updates of Steve’s progress. Day 4 was particularly challenging for Steve reaching elevations totaling 2389 ft. Armed with unfailing determination and grit throughout, Steve soon approached the final leg.

I felt honored to complete the final leg with Steve, joined by fellow Clowne Roadrunner, Rebecca Marshall, covering the remaining 14 miles into Blackpool.

This challenge has not only been a fitting tribute to my Mum, Lorna Riley, and to Rob Burrow (ex-Leeds Rhinos player) both of who inspired the event but to all sufferers and their families struggling mentally and physically with Motor Neurone Disease in their daily lives. To date, the total of my fundraising efforts since 2018 is £7360 (£1360 from this event) and £1602 by Steve from this event.

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to each and every one of you supporting Steve and me on our journey to raise awareness and funds for the charity MNDA.

Thankyou xxx

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bridget-hemstock

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stevetebb

Background

In September 2018, following Mum's diagnosis of MND, myself and my lovely Mum (Lorna) braved the Velocity ZipWire in Wales to raise money for MNDA South Yorkshire Branch to help the vital research and work they do for sufferers of MND. So following in Mum’s brave footsteps I have decided to take on various challenges.

Covid, unfortunately, scuppered my 2020 MNDA fundraising challenge, however, I am back, and as determined as ever, to continue my fundraising efforts in 2021 despite the Pandemic. 

Unexpectedly, it was whilst I was back at the drawing board, that my hardcore running buddy Steve Tebb, contacted me to let me know of an endurance event he was planning for this August. Steve has planned to run 140 miles, Coast to Coast, from Bridlington to Blackpool between 2-8 August to raise funds for the South Yorkshire branch of MNDA in memory of my Mum (Lorna Riley). 

I was so moved by his pledge; I felt the need to accompany him for at least part of it. So here I am, partway through my training plan sharing with you all that I am challenging myself to run the first leg from Bridlington (20 miles) and the last leg into Blackpool (13 miles).

Both being members of Clowne Roadrunners, Steve had followed my Mum’s exploits during her last year and gained a greater understanding of her illness. It was also through media coverage of
Rob Burrow’s battle with the illness, Steve got further insight into the cruel illness.