PLEASE could you all be TOTALLY BRILLIANT and support my FANTASTIC family...a.k.a:

"Kirkham's on tour...for a cure...& a beer!"

....as we support another truly AMAZING family and cause on Saturday 20th June 2026 and take on an amazing fundraising event the 'Challenge 5' as part of the '10in10' event raising money for a truly worthy cause for The MS Society UK raising vital, life-changing research into Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis is a cruel, debilitating, progressive neurological disease with no cure.

The annual 10in10 challenge was designed and created by an amazing lady Yvonne Booth in 2011. Every June, hundreds of people walk over ten mountains in ten hours or five mountains in five hours. It was her response to her husband Duncan’s unfortunate diagnosis with progressive Multiple Sclerosis in 2010 at the age of 39. Duncan was an elite rock climber, worked full-time as a teacher in a local primary school and had three young sons. He had spent his life outdoors – he was an amazing rock climber and had put new routes up rock faces that haven’t been repeated since. His name is against a number of first ascents in the Lake District and overseas. His legs had become heavy and felt ‘uncomfortable’ – just one visit to a neurologist confirmed his and his wife Yvonne’s worst fears and their lives changed forever...

As a wife and mother of three sons, she wanted to do something positive and help raise money for research into this cruel illness. The Booth Family live and breathe the Lake District so, six months later, determined to do something to help fund research into this devastating neurological disease, the idea of creating an annual challenge was born. Since then, Yvonne has been recognised as ‘fundraiser of the year’ in 2013 by the MS Society UK and works tirelessly for the cause. Duncan is the inspiration behind the 10in10 events and he continues to inspire and encourage daily.

In 2018 Duncan and Yvonne were invited to attend a reception with The Prime Minister, at 10 Downing Street. It was to celebrate advancements in MS Research. Over the last 20 years MS research has led to major advances in treatments. Breakthroughs so far have been funded through the tireless fundraising of our volunteers, generosity of our donors, and the dedication of scientists. We now have an unprecedented opportunity to develop a programme of effective treatments that could slow or stop the damage caused by MS and make medical history. This will revolutionise treatment and change the course of MS. The money raised from the event will support researchers at the Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair. They are leading the way in developing treatments that promote myelin repair for people with MS.

This year is a particularly special and prominent year for the '10in10' and 'Challenge 5' event as the 1 MILLION pound fundraising milestone is hopefully going to be met & is well within reach!!! A truly amazing feat & a goal that was set by Yvonne & Duncan's son Xander when they first started the event! The Booth Family have dedicated their lives to helping find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis & as a family also personally effected by this cruel illness by we will be honoured to be a part of this amazing event!

Sadly Multiple Sclerosis doesn't just affect the individual diagnosed, it unfortunately effects the whole family & I couldn't think of a better way to help fund vital awareness & research into fighting this cruel, debilitating neurological disease whilst I'm still able to, than plodding the stunning mountains with my fantastic support group! I'll be joined by my husband Andy, two kiddies Jack & Sophia aged 11 & 9 and not forgetting our crazy Cockapoo Winston - who unbelievably and guttingly has to struggle with his own autoimmune disease SRMA )-: You just couldn't write it!

My amazing family have unfortunately had to go through all of this with me since my gutting diagnosis on 10th September 2018 when the MS bomb was landed on me in a Neurologist clinic and the walls began closing in on me and I just wanted to run! I'd turned 34 just 4 days earlier, our little girl was not even 2 years old and our little boy had just started Reception...so that kind of threw a HUGE, HORRIBLE, UNWANTED spanner into the works at what should have been such a happy time. And unbelievably I also work in Neurophysiology and never, never expected to be on the other side of things as a patient - but who does...or wants to?? But at the same time my job role made me realise earlier that something wasn't right - so I sat for a while keeping it to myself knowing damn well I either had a brain tumour or MS. My family have seen the good, the bad & the ugly bits that's for sure but I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for this team of mine that's for sure! And I want my family to see me face this with positivity, guts, resilience and determination and without fear....no matter how bloody hard that can be a lot of the time! And luckily I'm a bloody tough bugger!

So conquering this amazing event with my amazing family by my side is going to be a really special one and an emotional one for sure! The Challenge 5 starts and finishes at the Swinside Inn near Keswick. The route is approximately eight miles long and takes in five peaks – Causey Pike (637m), Scar Crags (672m), Outerside (568m), Stile End (447m) and Barrow (455m). I'm sure there'll be many, MANY arguments and fall outs and blisters and calls of "mum when can I play Roblox" along the way hahaa...but cake pit stops at the top of each mountain peak...and a beer tent, BBQ and party at the end will cure any of this haha! And if we can get through what we've been through as a family so far...pretty sure we can conquer this and kick the arse of MS! And raising awareness, vital funds for research & fingers crossed meeting the million pound mark will be the icing on the top of the top of the tallest mountain!!!

We would HUGELY, HUGELY appreciate any kind donations to help us to fight this cruel, debilitating, progressive, neurological disease both as a family and for everyone else! Let's kick it's arse & let's get to that MILLION pound mark!!!

HUGE, HUGE thank you & appreciation from team

'Kirkham's On Tour...for A Cure & a Beer!'

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