Matt’s 24 Hours in the Fells – a challenge for MND

24 hours – 70 miles – 8200m - £10000

29th April 2023

I will be running a 24-hour Lake District fells round to support the Doddie Weir foundation at the end of April 2023. The challenge will start and finish in Keswick, will be mostly solo and unsupported, almost entirely off-road and will aim to cover somewhere in the region of 70 miles and around 40 named Wainwright peaks in the Skiddaw, Helvellyn, Langdale, Scafell and Borrowdale ranges with only a few road crossings. This is a distance equivalent to over 3 back-to-back marathons and a cumulative climb of over 8200 m (26900 ft) – nearly the height of Everest from sea level. At least 8 hours of it will be completed in the darkness of night. All funds raised will go directly to the Doddie Weir foundation which is made all the more poignant with the recent sad loss of Doddie who finally lost his battle with MND in December 2022. I’m also adding momentum and support to the heroics of Kevin Sinfield and all those who have supported the Doddie Aid campaign. 

This may be a quite a challenge – but nothing compared to that which those living with MND face each and every day.

My fundraising target is £10000 to mark 10 years since my father-in-law, Stuart Lawson, died a few years after being diagnosed with MND.

Since losing Stuart, our family have raised around £10000 through cycling and walking coast to coast, running marathons and half marathons and regular charity donations. This money is vital to support research and find a cure. As knowledge of this life-shortening condition grows, we hear about more and more people being diagnosed, living and sadly dying with MND. I’ll be covering all the costs of the challenge myself so all your donations will go to the charity. 

We believe that MND is curable – we just lack the funding to do the research. Your donations will help MyName5Doddie with the work they are doing to mobilise support, awareness and research spending in the right areas. . 

A little bit about me

I am an experienced mountaineer, fell runner and former amateur rugby union player as well as working full time as a Deputy Headteacher. Please support with a small donation, a share or like or just by telling someone about what we are trying to do.

Thank you for your support and kindness.