Simon Christian - Bike ride challenge in aid of MND
Simon Christian - Bike ride challenge in aid of MND
Hello, my name is Simon Christian, I am 52 years old and live with my wonderful wife Jo. We have three fabulous sons; Tom and George (24yo) and Henry (20yo).
I have recently been diagnosed with MND and have been overwhelmed by the support I have received from family, friends and colleagues which gives me and my family huge positivity to face the upcoming challenges in the future. The MND Association has already been a great support during the early stages of my diagnosis.
The charity bike ride aim is to raise awareness of MND and hopefully to raise money for the MND Association and its efforts in research into the disease.
I joined the Bedford Belly Busters cycling group two years ago and have cycled most Saturday mornings, winter through to summer I’ve established some great friendships along the way, combining cycling with the consumption of Guinness and cooked breakfasts. It is an activity I will miss hugely! It is this group along with other friends and family that are taking on a charity ride, from Bedford to Leeds, with us all meeting to watch the rugby union / league cross-code 745 Game at Headingley in aid of various MND charities.
A note about the cycling challenge from the Bedford Belly Busters:
We wanted to show Simon how much we support him and his family after his recent diagnosis. The group came up with the idea of cycling from Bedford to the 745 rugby game in Headingley; some 180 miles with 3,072 metres worth of hills to climb. We’re doing this over 2.5 days in, no doubt, the worst weather November can throw at us. It was only last May that Simon completed a 100 mile cycle event and now the pleasure of cycling is no longer available to him.
Simon needs alterations to his home to help with his changing mobility, a portion of the funds raised is going directly to covering some of these costs with the remaining money going to a combination of Leeds Hospitals Charity (administering for the Rob Burrows campaign) ; My Name5 Doddie Foundation; Gloucester Rugby Foundation (administering for 4Ed the Ed Slater campaign); and, MND Association Bedfordshire Group, who have provided tremendous help and support to Simon and Jo.
£26,376.82
+£3,821.98 Gift Aid
raised of £15,000 target
by 526 supporters