Those of you who know me (Emily), know that sport is not my natural arena.

So much so, that for the last 8 Duchenne Dash cycle rides to Paris, my preferred method of travel has been in a van, on a motor bike, in a car or by Eurostar. That’s in sharp contrast to my amazing husband - who is now cycling to Paris for the 10th time.

Because this year is our 10th Duchenne Dash - and for the first time ever – I will be cycling all the way to Paris. All 300 wretched kilometres of it! Yes I’ve turned into a complete cycle bore, bleating on about distance, elevation, slipstreams and keeping up with the pack.  

People ask how the training is going. I’d say I'm enjoying about 20% of it. But is it hard? Well, when I’m struggling up a hill, with no end in sight, I can’t catch my breath and my legs and my back are screaming in pain, yes, it’s hard. But I've experienced so much worse.  

Is it as hard as being told that your child, your precious beautiful child has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and there is little in the way of treatments: No.  

Is it as hard as hearing of boys with Duchenne who never leave their bedrooms because their families are wrung out and don’t have the resource or energy to help them. No.  

Is it as hard as hearing that a medicine being tested in clinical trials hasn’t actually worked, and having to counsel those heartbroken families who've given the last 3 years of their lives – No.  

In fact nothing is as hard as being the part of a child who you love with every cell in your body and who you would do anything for – be told that he has DMD and that there is in fact nothing you can do.  

Which is why I need your help. Please sponsor me. We need money to end this disease. We’re fighting on all fronts – and your money – has already made a huge difference to us.  

Because the hard part isn’t cycling to Paris. The hard part is getting up, day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year to say – **** you Duchenne. We WILL defeat you. 

Emily x