Danny Mills has now successfully completed the Archie Mills Memorial Challenge.

 

 

Beginning at 5am at on Sunday 7th October, Danny biked a gruelling 220 miles from Leeds to London, arriving at 10pm that night. The following morning, at 8.30am Danny began his Triathlon challenge, completed in and around Richmond Park, in just over a very respectable 3 hours.

 

 

This was a huge physical endeavour and everyone at Shine, Danny's friends and family were incredibly proud of his achievements in completing this very important challenge.

 

Thank you to everyone that has donated.

 

 The first Archie Mills Memorial Challenge, in which Shine Patron Danny Mills was set to ride from Leeds to London and then complete the London Triathlon, has been postponed due to Danny contracting gastroenteritis.

At the last minute Danny has fallen extremely sick and there is no way he will be physically able to complete an endurance challenge of this nature.

After months of dedicated training Danny is absolutely gutted to be withdrawing and wanted to say the following to all those who have got behind the challenge to date:

 

Dear All, 

I'm devastated to have to let you all know that due to contracting a serious stomach virus, and after seeking medical advice, I have been told not to compete in my challenge this weekend. 

I know so many people have worked incredibly hard to make this happen and I feel so bad for letting them down. 

Nobody can feel as bad as I do right now. Six months gruelling training and no end result. Anyone that knows me well will know it’s my worst nightmare. But after losing over half a stone in two days, attempting the challenge would be more than foolish. 

I can only thank everyone that has helped me up to now, the Shine Team, Evans Cycles, the media who have covered to story so well, and of course those of you who have donated so generously. 

With this in mind, if anyone feels that they would like their donation refunded then I will personally make sure this happens. However, I will be completing a revised version of the challenge as soon as I am fit and well again.

Danny

 

 Tom Scott, Marketing and Events Manager at Shine, is keen to communicate that none of the funds donated will be used by the charity until Danny has completed his new challenge in the coming months. News about this will be released when details have been finalised.

Shine will still be present at the triathlon this weekend with 14 fundraisers taking part, including Team Shine – consisting of three staff members from the charity.

Whilst everyone at Shine shares in Danny’s disappointment at having to withdraw this weekend, we have also been overwhelmed by the level of support we have received.

The donations, media coverage, and goodwill messages mean we have never felt more encouraged in our goal to support everyone affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

We will be in touch again when the revised Archie Mills Memorial Challenge has been arranged.

Until then, thank you for your support to date, we look forward to working with you in the near future.

 

 

Text ARCH90 £5 to 70070 to donate. 

Ten years ago, I lost my baby son, Archie to spina bifida.

To help others who are faced with the challenges of these disabilities, I became a Patron of Shine, a charity which supports individuals with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and their families.  I have also taken part in many fundraising activities and raised tens of thousands of pounds.

Now, 10 years since Archie passed away, I am launching the Archie Mills Memorial Challenges – a fundraising and awareness initiative to both celebrate Archie’s memory and to give support and inspiration to others.

I will be taking part in many fundraising activities including a Leeds2London sporting challenge where I will cycle over 200 miles from Leeds to London NON-STOP and then take part in the Virgin Olympic Distance Triathlon the next day.

It would be great if you could join me for my journey or for the Triathlon and raise money for Shine, or just make a donation to the cause. 

All the monies donated to the Archie Mills Memorial Challenges will be spent by Shine on supporting babies and children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus and their parents. Both children and parents face unimaginable challenges, particularly in the difficult years after birth when young children often face multiple surgical operations and complicated processes to control both bowel and bladder. Many also have learning challenges due to hydrocephalus. Shine provides not only expert support when needed but a broad and supportive community of people throughout the country who can offer encouragement and share experiences.

Your support would be much appreciated.