This journey started as a passion to row an ocean hoping for a record time but has developed into a desire to do something remarkable that will help change the lives of children who are critically ill.

Linda’s company runs three small children’s homes and one of the Managers has a young daughter, Piper (3) who is very ill with an extremely rare genetic disease SMC1A which results in devastating epileptic seizures.

Linda’s challenge will be raising funds to support Action Medical Research’s special campaign which focuses on rare diseases. Her epic row will shine a spotlight on rare forms of epilepsy, and this record-breaking attempt aims to raise in excess of £100,000 to fund vital research.

Medical research is a critical component in the fight against rare diseases and it’s people like Linda that give children like Piper and her parents hope and optimism.

Linda is no stranger to challenges, and lists amongst her accomplishments:

- Ironman athlete, achieving first place in her age group and racing the Kona Ironman World Championships three times

- Representing team GB in long distance triathlon and winning silver in her age group at the Europeans

- Summitting Everest and then Lhotse the following day, becoming one of only four women in the world to complete this traverse, an amazing achievement.

Overall, Linda's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of pursuing one's passions. It's an inspiration to anyone who may be struggling to find their path in life or who may be facing daunting challenges, reminding us that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

The (not so) Rare

There are 7,000 rare diseases - 75% of these affect children and, sadly, 30% of children with a rare condition will lose their lives before their fifth birthday. Thousands of children across the UK are living with rare diseases that have no cures.

Action Medical Research is fighting for children’s lives through funding research. We are striving to develop treatments and cures to tackle rare diseases that devastate children’s lives and affect families who are coping with the daily challenges of caring for a sick child. Medical research gives hope – hope for new treatments, hope for a cure and hope that no family will have to go through the heartbreak of losing a child to a rare disease.

action.org.uk