2 hours ago
Judy Beveridge
Brilliant to meet you at Inverness Torvean parkrun, thanks for joining us and sharing your story. Keep on smashing the miles with your amazing attitude! Much love and best of luck to all xx
2 hours ago
Brilliant to meet you at Inverness Torvean parkrun, thanks for joining us and sharing your story. Keep on smashing the miles with your amazing attitude! Much love and best of luck to all xx
3 hours ago
+ £50.00 Gift Aid
17 hours ago
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
With your spirit of determination you’ll smash it.
yesterday
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Go Luke 🥾🚶♂️➡️💕Alice’s Auntie Trace Uncle Rob & family
2 days ago
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
2 days ago
+ £25.00 Gift Aid
Luke, it's incredible what you are doing. Long may it continue
2 days ago
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Amazing challenge, much respect for you both in undertaking it.
2 days ago
2 days ago
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
An amazing challenge, enjoy every minute.
2 days ago
Good luck!
Event dates: 8th June 2024 – 15th June 2024
Luke Hames-Brown is raising money for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and Motor Neurone Disease Association
Hi,
Thanks for taking the time to visit my charity fundraising page.
In April 2023, at the age of 34, I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), a life limiting, degenerative neurological disease with an average life expectancy of 30 months from the onset of symptoms. I first developed symptoms in early 2022 with weakness in my leg. Since this time the weakness in my muscles has gradually progressed with more muscles becoming affected.
Receiving this diagnosis was utterly devastating, particularly coming 10 months after my incredible wife Kate and I were married, and when Kate was 4 weeks pregnant.
When first told MND was a possibility I said that even if I were not diagnosed I wanted to do something to fundraise, to try and help make sure others in the future do not have to feel the fear and loss we have experienced.
Over the months since diagnosis this has developed other meanings; I have come to a realisation that whilst a major diagnosis or life event like this will inevitably be a defining, dominating feature of my life, I do have control of how I let that definition occur.
I am making an active choice to use the time I have to create memories for myself and those I love and care for.
I believe that I can, and should, keep doing the things I love for as long as I can. I might not be able to do them in the same way I used to, but with adaptation and changing my approach I can still be involved in so much.
I have always loved walking, and have a background of 10 years as a doctor in volunteer Search and Rescue. I have wanted to walk Hadrian's Wall for many years and being diagnosed with MND has motivated that I should use this as an opportunity to raise awareness.
I will walk the 84 miles from the West to East coast of Britain over 8 days from 8th-15th June 2024.
I hope to raise money to further research into MND and help support those affected by the disease, and also hope that perhaps people out there who are struggling with difficult moments or news in life might see my undertaking this challenge and believe that you can build memories and experiences, even facing adversity.
I am fundraising for two fantastic charities, the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation have a clear vision of a world free of MND. The charity was established by rugby player Doddie Weir and the trustees in November 2017 following Doddie’s diagnosis. It was founded in response to his frustration at the lack of options available for MND patients – no effective treatment, limited access to meaningful clinical trials and what can feel like no hope.
The aims of the Foundation are simple:
- To raise funds to aid research into the causes of MND and investigate potential cures.
- To make grants to individuals suffering from MND, to enable them to live as fulfilled a life as possible.
I will also donate 10% of the money raised to the Motor Neurone Disease Association. MNDA are a national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland focused on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those affected by MND.
My wife and a wonderful support team of family and close friends will be walking the 84 miles with me. In October last year our son Rowan was stillborn at 31 weeks, we had excellent care at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and have since been very grateful to be supported by the charity Petals.
Kate has a separate JustGiving page to raise funds for Petals, please take a look and donate if you can:
Thank you so much,
Luke
Thank you for checking out my page. Making a donation is fast, easy and secure thanks to Give as you Live Donate. They'll take your donation and pass it onto My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and Motor Neurone Disease Association.
3 days ago
I've been out training again, this time in Scotland a few days ago.
I use the sticks now when I'm walking out and about as they help with stability, I find they really make a difference, especially as when I first start walking I am stiff and less coordinated. It improves a little once I am warmed up.
I try to be positive when talking about my disability and getting out to exercise, but I think it's important to be honest too. It isn't always easy and I did actually have a fall this day when I missed my footing and stumbled. It's dispiriting when something like that happens, but I get myself up and carry on slowly until the muscles have settled again. I try to watch the ground ahead to check for tree roots etc and have people with me just in case.
I'm going to be doing plenty of walking over the next month or so and will keep posting and try to explain how I am adapting to keep moving.
Please keep sharing the link to as many people as you can.
Luke
1 week ago
Thanks again to everyone for the support.
I've been getting in some training over rough terrain. This is the sort of walking I have always loved, feeling the wind blowing and seeing spectacular views whilst challenging myself.
It's harder now than it used to be, particularly on the descents, the imbalance in my muscles means I'm not so stable and a lot slower than I used to be, but moments like this make me feel so alive that I will keep at it, just making adaptations.
Luke
1 week ago
Wow, I can’t believe we have already hit £5000!
Thank you so much to everyone everyone who has donated, I’m sorry I can’t contact each of you individually but please know how grateful I am!
I hope we can take this much further, so please keep spreading the word.
Thanks again,
Luke
Your donations will help the great work My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and Motor Neurone Disease Association do.
Donate now