This May, I’ll be walking 100km along the Jurassic Coast, from Corfe to Weymouth, to raise money for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which funds vital research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND). I’ll be part of Andy’s Army, led by the inspirational Andy Vaughton, who was diagnosed with MND four years ago.

Andy’s aiming to raise £20,000 to fund research and support for people living with this devastating disease. Every step we take brings us closer to that goal.

It’s a continuous walk – day into night, back into day, no sleep – along a challenging route with lots of steep climbs and descents. We’ll be stopping only for refreshment and the inevitable patching of blistered feet.

I’ll be walking to support those who are currently affected by MND as well as in memory of Sophie Thompson, who died from MND in 2023.

Through Sophie, as well as her family and friends, I’ve seen first-hand how devastating MND can be. It’s a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It can leave people locked in a failing body unable to move, talk and eventually breathe. It kills six people every day in the UK, a third within 12 months of diagnosis and more than half within two years. It has no cure. The physical and emotional burden post diagnosis is huge and can be very difficult to process.

That’s why the work of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation matters so much. It’s driving vital research towards a cure while supporting those living with the disease – bringing hope where once there was none.

If you’re able to support, any donation – no matter the size – will help us get closer to that £20,000 target and make a real difference.