I’m embarking on a monumental challenge called ‘MND 1000 Challenge’ where I will swim and paddle board 1000km over 12 months to raise £1k for MND Association. My aunt lived with MND for 2 years before passing away earlier this year. The support MND Association gave to my aunt and her family was invaluable throughout her battle with the disease. 

MND (Motor Neurone Disease) is a devastating disease which slowly takes away a person’s independence. My aunt lost all mobility and the ability to swallow to the disease. She had previously been very fit being married to a farmer and having renovated several houses in her life. 

My aunt recently found love again and re-married in 2017. Tragically, this new chapter of her life was cut short by MND when she was diagnosed just a year later and passed away in May 2020. MND takes so much from people; please donate to help MND Association continue to support those living with MND to enjoy as much time with their loved ones as possible.. In the gallery above there is a photo of my aunt - June - brimming with beauty and happiness on her wedding day. Let’s help people living with MND keep smiling like my aunt did to the end. 

 There is no cure for MND, only support including emotional, financial and special equipment to make the challenges of every day living easier. Despite MND my aunt continued to smile and laugh to the end. With the right support, people with MND can live with the disease more easily and continue to make memories with their loved ones like my aunt did.

I’m a total newbie to paddle boarding and a poor (very slow!) swimmer. My crazy target to swim and paddle board 1000km is because 1000 people get newly diagnosed with MND each year. Every kilometre I cover will represent a newly diagnosed person. 

I’m not particularly fit nor particularly young (the wrong side of 30) and know I will struggle to achieve this challenge; especially over winter when my own general motivation declines anyway. However, the difficulties I will face during this long challenge are nothing compared to what those living with MND face on a daily basis. 

My challenge will commence in October where I will be joined by my cousin and her boys on my maiden voyage. My cousin and her family cared for my aunt at their home. The date will be weather dependent so keep an eye out for when I get paddling! 

To enable me to do this challenge I’m being sponsored by a great team at McConks paddle boards. They’re a sustainable, ethical and inclusive board company who are kindly letting me use their 12’8 Go Explore board.  www.mcconks.com

Keep up to-date  with my challenge via Instagram @MND1000challenge or Facebook: mnd1000. I also have a blog at MND1000.wordpress.com

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Please support me by donating or sharing my challenge far and wide. If you’re feeling energetic join me on a swim or paddle! 

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.