Luke's MND Awareness Hadrian's Wall Challenge

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, also known as ALS), 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 myself, Kate and our families 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:

justgiving.com/page/kate--hb

Thank you so much,
Luke