Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page. (All my photos from each day's walk can be seen by clicking "show older updates" below the most recent post.)

In the month leading up to Friday 27 June, I’ll be taking on the Big Walk in support of neurological disease research at the University of Sheffield.

I am connected to this cause for multiple reasons.

The most personal of which, is that I myself, am living with a complex neuro-muscular condition and have recently suffered a stroke. For this reason I will be doing the walk in tiny stages each day, instead of all at once.

I started my working life as a Psychology Department Research Assistant, investigating strategies for facilitating movement in people with Parkinson's Disease. A condition that my much loved aunt had to contend with later in her life.

I am Director of the Community Interest Company Artled Productions that is currently raising awareness about Dementia - a condition that many close friends and family have been forced to live with.

A dear friend in Australia died from Motor Neurone Disease a few years ago. (Some of you may remember that I did some long distance swims in 2017 in aid of MND.)

And several friends have faced the challenges of multiple- sclerosis and strokes.

By donating to Sheffield’s research, you’ll help to fund vital new treatments that will bring hope to so many people.

My goal is to raise £10 per mile for every mile that I walk.

The shortest distance on the Big walk is 20 miles, and thanks to some wonderful people, I have just reached my fundraising goal of £200 for that distance - at this point in time (Day 9) I have walked 10 miles. - I am therefore extending my fundraising goal to £310, as the furthest distance on the Big walk is 31 miles. I hope to have walked this far by the end of my 31 days.

I am delighted to say that today (Day 13) I have reached the half way point in terms of miles, 15.5 miles, and my generous supporters have helped me achieve my £10 per mile target for 31 miles.

I have therefore increased my fundraising goal to £15 per mile. I am feeling the energetic cost of the daily target but will do my best to complete the 31 miles. All your support is invaluable. Thank you!

Wow! you are all amazing! I'm so grateful. Having reached this new fundraising goal I have increased my target again to £20 a mile.

Thanks to all the incredible support from all my donors I have made my £20 a mile goal today - Day 23. I am therefore increasing my target to £25 a mile! It is forecast to be a very hot week (30 degrees) and I'm terrible in the heat, but I will do my best to get to the finish line at 31 miles.

YOU ARE ALL AMAZING! Today is Day 26 and I have met my target to raise £25 a mile so now I am trying for £30 a mile!

I'm blown away, Day 29, and you have donated £30 a mile. So I will challenge us again and try for £35 a mile which would take us over the £1000 mark!

One in six people, and one in four over the age of 80, will develop a significant neurological disorder in their lifetimes.

Neurological diseases such as Motor Neuron Disease, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, dementia, and stroke can have devastating effects. These diseases are notoriously difficult to treat, with current treatments masking symptoms rather than curing the root cause of these terrible illnesses..

Your support could truly be a catalyst for transformative breakthroughs that could result in cures for these conditions in our lifetimes.

Thank you for making a gift to help me reach my fundraising goal!