My nephew (and Suzanne’s cousin), Mark, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was four years old. Since that time the Hopkins family has been involved with various
fund-raising activities for the Muscular Dystrophy UK charity, which supports families with children unfortunate enough to have the disease and funds much of the research aimed at ameliorating the effects of the various forms of Muscular Dystrophy and eventually finding a cure for it. I am currently the Chairman of the Knowle and Dorridge branch of the charity and this year we have entered a team into the Peddle Paddle Peak Challenge in the hope that we will raise a really significant sum to boost the cause. The challenge takes place in the Lake District on 2^nd July 2022 and we will be cycling for 15 miles, canoeing for 2 miles, hiking up and down Helvellyn and then cycling for a further 15 miles before collapsing over the finish line.  I will be joined in the challenge by my daughter, Suzanne, my other daughter’s boyfriend, Matt and my friend Nick. That makes three hockey players and a percussionist or three fit youngsters and a pensioner, whichever combination takes your fancy.

Sadly, Mark died when he was just 17 years old and this year will be the 25^th Anniversary of his death. It would be wonderful if we could celebrate our memory of him by making a telling contribution to the work of Muscular Dystrophy UK and, with your help, I believe that we can. Please do not delay. If you mean to support us in the Peddle Paddle Peak challenge, please donate now!

For further information about the charity please see the Muscular Dystrophy UK website at https://www.musculardystrophyuk.org

Brian

Up-date: We have now reached our initial target of £2000 - thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. We want to make a real difference so now we are aiming to double the initial target and go for £4,000. Whatever you can do to help will be greatly appreciated.

Post Event Up-date: We did it! Fantastic performance from Team Knowle and Dorridge as we completed the challenge in just over 9 hours. The last 2 miles of cycling was hard going as it was all uphill but the terrific support that we have received kept us going. We have almost reached £5,000 now which is absolutely amazing. Thank you all so much! If you go to the gallery there are now some photos of the team in action on the day