A FEARLESS fundraiser from Shipston is preparing to take part in one of the UK’s most brutal endurance challenges to help raise vital funds and awareness for motor neurone disease (MND).
On January 11, Carl Matthews will be taking part in the Montane Winter Spine Challenger North – a non-stop 160-mile race which starts in Hardraw in North Yorkshire and ends in the Scottish Borders. He will have just 108 hours to complete the challenge, which will take in some of the UK’s toughest terrain in freezing temperatures.
Carl is taking part to help raise money for the MND Association after a close friend was diagnosed with MND, something he admits has ‘affected him deeply’.
He explained: “I’ll be running for my sister’s best friend Sue who I’ve known since I was 15. She was diagnosed with MND last year so taking part in this challenge is really important to me. Sadly, she has deteriorated very quickly.
“I want to do my bit to help fight back against this devastating disease and to help raise money to fund research into MND and she has given me her blessing to do that.”
During the challenge, Carl will have to carry all of his equipment with him while battling a course with elevations of more than 15,000ft. Darkness and cold will also be important factors.
He continued: “There is a lot of trepidation to be honest and I’m sure there will be a lot of nervous tension before the event. Sixty per cent of the challenge will be done in the dark but it will be a case of taking one step at a time.”
MND is a terminal, neurological disease which affects 5,000 people in the UK at any one time.
Six people are diagnosed every day. MND affects the brain and spinal cord leaving people unable to speak, eat or even breathe.
The MND Association’s Emma Butler, who is supporting Carl’s fundraising efforts, added: “This is an incredible challenge and one which will push Carl to his limits. We are so grateful to him to everything he is doing to support our work. To people living with MND and their families every step matters and every step will make a difference.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/page/carl-matthews-6 to donate.
