I’ve decided to do a set of three challenges this year, to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

On 31 March, I ran the Coniston 14 – a 14-mile road race around Coniston Water, which I managed to do in a fairly slow-but-respectable 2 hours 31 mins. Now it's the end of part one, I need to leave the crazy running training for a while, and concentrate on cycling...

Actually, I may have to rename this to "Ellie's Quadruple Challenge" because I've signed up for the Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride on Sunday 8th July. In the rain. Just to "see how I get on." *tremble*

Anyway, "Triple Challenge" sort of sounds better, so I'll leave it as it is.

From the 25-29 July, I’ll be taking my trusty junk shop bicycle on The London to Paris Bike Ride, and finally on the 12 August, I’ll be embarking on The Spartan Race in Ripon – a 5km obstacle course in which I’ll have to leap through hoops of fire, jump in rivers, and crawl through swamps… all before lunch.

Last year, I heard the sad news that my Performing Arts tutor, Allyson Lee, had died at Dignitas by assisted suicide after being rendered totally disabled by MS.

Allyson was an actress, a dancer, and a source of great inspiration to me. The best way I can think of to thank her for everything she did is to push myself to the limit this year and do things she, sadly, wouldn’t have been able to do. After she died, I wrote this tribute to her, and you can also read more of her story here.

I also have another friend living with MS, who never stops smiling and being positive, despite the fact that her body is letting her down. That positivity has had a huge impact on me, and inspired me to use the body I have to benefit those who can’t do the simple things, like walk through the countryside, or ride a bike, or paddle in rivers with their kids.

Your donation will help to spur me on, but even more importantly, it will raise much-needed funds for research into this debilitating illness.

The only reason I'm doing this is because I'm grateful for the fact that I can. Thank you so much for giving what you can.

Please note: You can also TEXT your donation from any mobile, with the code EHMS99 and the amount (e.g. "EHMS99 £10") to 70070. Thank you!

 

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