Something new, or at least new to me: June 21 is ‘Global MND Awareness Day’.
Around the world the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations organises fundraising activities to boost interest and turbocharge research. I had never heard of this until a newsletter arrived from our UK MNDA a couple of weeks ago.
Here in Britain they’re being very reasonable. They’re suggesting that people run 21 miles in June, before the 21st. Even in my healthiest, strongest, most athletic years I couldn’t have done that, not all in one day. The nice thing is that they’re not asking for that. They’re saying, “Please get sponsors, then please make sure that you’ve run a total of 21 miles before the 21st, even if you run only a couple of miles at a time”. Now THAT I could have done! In fact I might have been able to do that even a year ago, well into the illness but without the coughing and breathlessness I have now.
So how about it? 15 days to go. If anyone can run one and a half miles each day between now and the 21st you will have made it! With some friends cheering you on from their wallets, it’s a fairly easy way to put funds to very good use.
I’m inspired by my godson Chris, who tells me he’s going to do it for me, though alarmingly (for me) he wants to try for it all at once. He’s even got sponsor friends and family adding their contributions for his run direct to the DP Fund. Thank you all.
I leave this with you, my friends. 15 days to go. One and a half miles – 2.4 kilometres – each day is a challenge but not too onerous for many. Or do a different pattern to suit you. Here’s the link for registering but if anyone prefers to skip the formalities, just go ahead and do the runs. If you want sponsors to put their support for you into the DP fund they can do so via the direct link here, or if you go down the more formal registration route you can add my name in the Tribute section.
I wish I could do the one and a half miles daily myself. Perhaps I’ll just charge round the streets in the Peacemobile instead.
Thank you.
Walking or cycling are also options… or swimming I guess… and surely the Peacemobile too! Fetching MNDA orange vests or t-shirts provided too 🙂
BTW, I’m not quite crazy enough to go for the 21 without some prior training – have been loving building up miles over the last few months, always with Dave in mind. So really pleased to have come across this initiative recently; and a wonderfully inspiring MNDA Run 21 Facebook group who share personal motivations and running successes from around the country. Many of whom doing a mile or two a day, having never run before.
Summer evenings are the best time to run! I was all fired up to do a lovely new river route I’d planned of 16 miles the other eve. The first five miles all felt sweet – flatter than I’ve ever done before, beautiful bluebells and boulders, beaches and beeches; and then suddenly knee sprain and pain, and had to hobble back 5 miles (no reception or road for a pick up!) Frustrating, and got a bit cold and dark! But further reinforced how very lucky I am, and how awful the sudden and unexplained onset of MND, and the ongoing lack of cure; and the extraordinary courage, efforts and good-humoured stamina Dave continues to inspire us all with. Will rest up for a bit (lots of frozen peas!) but am determined to do a 21m run by the 21st (or end of month at least!)
Hope to see some of you on the Facebook group having joined up?! And in case you haven’t seen, the DP fund is so close to £20k milestone now – let’s keep sharing to pass it asap 🙂 x
Go Chris! Remember your 50 mile school walk back in the day?! Just wear proper footwear so that you dont get as many blisters as you did then!
A brilliant cause and hope others will take up the challenge xx
RUN CHRIS, RUN!!! I know the thought of Dave and all other MND sufferers will keep you going throughout the training and on the day. A fantastic initiative xxxx