Dear All,

I am taking on a challenge in support of my dearest mother, Arabella, Mummu, Bells, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurones Disease in June 2024. 

A real shock to us all and a new world to navigate on how best we can help and support Mummu. From what we’ve learnt in the year that has gone too fast for words, there are two types of this disease, one fast and one slow. Very sadly for Mummu it's the fast one with the reality being that she won’t be with us when a cure is finally reached.

For those that know Mummu, I’m sure you will agree with me, she really is one of the kindest, most selfless, totally stoical and generous people on this earth. The list goes on. 


Much like, Alzheimers, Dementia, Parkinsons - there is no cure. We are determined that through the challenge we’re attempting, we will be able to contribute towards research in finding a cure.



So here goes: 

I wanted to do something meaningful for Mummu, something that was by no means easy and something I genuinely will struggle doing. 2 places that Mummu is very fond of are Inholmes where she grew up and we are all now fortunate to live (near Membury Service Station -M4) . Thank you Mummu! And the other place being Manor Farm, Dorset - a place full of happy memories, a place I spent many years breaking horses thanks to my parents. For those of you fortunate enough to visit, you’ll agree it was quite the sanctuary with Mummu’s Geese maffia, flock of ducks and brood of chickens and never without Mr Merlin & Whisper by her side. Always a freshly baked viccy sponge thanks to the ducks & béarnaise sauce thanks to the chickens.

We (Indi & I) will be walking 90 miles in September (3 months time) from Milton Abbey, Dorset (just next to Manor Farm) to Inholmes to show that swallows do always return. We will be doing this with no training. Much like Mummu, she had no training for what she is going through now and still to this day never complains. 



We are raising money in aid of My Doddie’s Foundation, a charity set up in 2017 by Doddie Weir OBE, who was diagnosed in 2017 and died 5 years later in 2022. Their vision is simple. A World Free of MND. 



Anything you can give no matter how large or small will be hugely appreciated and spur us on to continue to put one foot in front of the other.

I will share our route in the next few months and would love those that know Mummu to join us for a leg of this challenge. Saying that if you talk too much, by all means, walk on your own!

Thank you as ever,

Charlie