Our great friend, Andy Syvret, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in the autumn of 2022.

Andy is one of life's loveliest people. This tough diagnosis is one of several knocks he and his delightful family have suffered over the last few years. We'd love you to help us fundraise to help both Andy & his family; and to progress research towards a cure for MND.

We're planning several events including a charity ball and various sponsored sporting activities.

Together with Andy we've decided to split our fundraising with an overall target of £100,000:

1. Jemima's Journey via Tree of Hope - Andy's daughter Jemima has quadriplegic cerebral palsy. She is a wheelchair user and requires ongoing physiotherapy. We'd like to raise £50,000 towards the cost of a new van capable of carrying both Jemima's wheelchair and in anticipation of Andy's needs; and for Jemima's treatment.

2. My Name'5 Doddie Foundation - we'd also like to raise £50,000 towards MND support and research via the charity founded by the inspirational Scottish rugby international, Doddie Weir.

So far we've the following planned:

13th May 2023 - A crew from Langstone Pilot Gig Club will race round the Isle of Wight (likely with other gig clubs). They'd like to raise as much money as possible in support of the Syvrets and in memory of Kath Brett. Kath was a wonderful person and great friend of Langstone Pilot Gig Club who sadly died on 31st December 2022 from MND. Kath's son, Adam, is part of our crew. The crew will be trying to break the gig rowing record of 7hrs56mins for a circumnavigation of the island. The row will be 10 years on from a similar event which Andy took part in, then raising funds for Jemima to have an operation in the USA.

7th September 2023 - A T20 Charity Cricket Match at the St Cross Cricket Club in Winchester.  A light-hearted affair with very little
cricketing ability required aims to bring together a good number of people from the Solent and Thames Valley advisory communities for a fun afternoon while raising important funds and awareness.  The two teams will be captained by Nigel Le Bas (Grant Thornton) and Richard Dibden (CMA Recruitment). Spectators are more than welcome to come along and watch and support the event and enjoy a fantastic 'spectacle' as well as a glorious BBQ. 

8th October 2023 - Bournemouth Half Marathon.  Michael
Barcia (Meridian) and Nick Gent (Trethowans) are both in training to take on this massive event.  For anyone who knows these two, will be well aware that they will only run after a ball / bus / train at the very most, however this cause has forced their hand (well feet) and not only are they hoping to complete this particular event, but the Great South Run the following week as
well!

15th October 2023 - Great South Run.  With the
Bournemouth Half Marathon hopefully under their belts and medals round their necks, Michael Barcia (Meridian) and Nick Gent (Trethowans) will take on one of Europe's favourite 10 milers taking in the inspiring history, the salty sea air and sea views in Portsmouth… let’s hope those legs hold out!

10th November 2023 – The Andrew Syvret SPACE Charity Ball. 
This high profile event aims to bring together 300 of the Solent and Thames Valley Communities for an evening of great dining and entertainment all in aid of imperative fundraising and raising awareness.

26th November 2023 – Fundraising Dinner at Les Mirabelle.  A smaller, but by no means any less impactful, fine dining
lunch event at award winning French restaurant Les Mirabelle in the heart of the New Forest.  Another great event bringing together 36 of the community for great dining and entertainment all in aid of imperative fundraising and raising awareness.

Watch this space as there are various other events being planned for this year and into next year, to include an ultra-marathon, Race to the Kings and a bike ride along the South Downs Way.