In September 2025 my grandmother Averil was sadly diagnosed with bulbar onset Motor Neurones Disease (MND).

For those of you who don't know, MND is a rare, rapidly progressing and devastating illness that affects the brain and nerves. It causes messages from the the motor neurones to stop reaching the muscles leading to the muscles weakening, stiffening and wasting away. Over time people with MND lose the ability to speak, eat, move and eventually breathe. Scientists do not currently know what causes MND. and there is currently no cure. The progression can be devastating but people living with MND show incredible strength and courage every single day.

My gran is one of those people! To sum her character up to those of you that may not have met her, whilst we were all busy asking "why her" she was responding "why not me". My dad passed away when I was young and she stepped up without hesitation and helped my mum raise me and my sister. She's funny, kind-hearted and has a wicked sense of humour!

Now, as my “grammy” faces the challenges of MND and has received support from the MNDA, so I'm determined to give something back. George and I will be taking on the Peak District Ultra Challenge on the 4th-5th July 2026. We will be walking a total of 100km (just over 62 miles) over two days (with 1250m of elevation on day 1 and 900m on day 2). It's going to be a tough challenge, but nothing compared to what people living with MND go through every day.

Our fabulous friend Alice will be joining us on the second day to take on the second half challenge. She's going to be bringing some much needed energy, motivation and hopefully lots of laughs to get us all through it!

We're raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA), an incredible charity that funds vital research into finding better treatments and, one day, a cure. They also provide practical, emotional and financial support to people with MND and their families, helping them access equipment, care and advice when they need it most. The MNDA also campaigns nationally to make sure that people living with MND have their voices heard and receive the dignity, support and services they deserve.

Thank you so much for reading this and for any support you can give. Whether it's donating, sharing this page or if you have any recommendations for good blister plasters - it truly means the world to me and my family.

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Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page supporting the MND Association. The MND Association focus on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. By sponsoring me your money will help people affected by Motor Neurone Disease. Once you donate, JustGiving will send your money directly to the MND Association. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and secure, your details are safe - they'll never sell them or send unwanted emails. Thank you again.