Firstly thanks for visiting my Just Giving sponsorship page.

In 2010 my cousin, Mark Taylor, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at just 26 years old..
Mark is a Northumbria sport graduate, a member of Whitley Bay FC who won the FA Vase at Wembley in 2009 and teaches PE at Kenton School.
For more information on Mark's story seewww.newsguardian.co.uk/latest-news/Footballer-Mark39s-fighting-spirit.6172288.jp

Currently there is no cure for this degenerative disease and whilst research continues to try and find a cure Mark has been given a life expectancy of 3-5 years.

At the forefront of research is the Motor Neurone Disease Association www.mndassociation.org who continue to develop ground-breaking research into the disease. In order to help the MNDA continue its excellent work.

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As everyone who knows me will be aware, I’m always up for a ‘challenge’

This year’s challenge will be a little ‘different’ to the norm. Although I’ve done the C2C (Coast to Coast) on several occasions I’ve never made it this difficult for myself.- eeeeek!!!

22nd – 24th June 2013. Whitehaven-Penrith, Penrith-Rookhope, Rookhope-Tynemouth then collapse

I will be attempting the 135 (very hilly) miles on an original 1974 Raleigh Chopper MK II (kids bike). For anyone who thinks they will be fun to ride any distance – they aren’t !!!
The gears are rubbish, brakes inefficient, saddle uncomfortable and the bike weighs a ton … but it does draw a lot of attention and smiles :-) :-)

Good news is I will have company for the ride in the form of Jed Woodhouse, David Senior, John Bell, Carl Rutter, Michael Charlton and Simon Veit-Wilson (riding a balmy Pashley) – so they can all watch me suffer.

To checkout my restoration and training (which I’m taking seriously) www.purplechopper.co.uk.

I would like to invite you to sponsor me (no matter how big or small) in my attempt to raise as much money as possible for this outstanding cause.
Thanks and best wishes.

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.