Multiple System Atrophy is a terminal neurological disease that leads to problems with movement, balance and the autonomic functions of the body. About 3000 people in the UK suffer from this dreadful disease including my mother. There is currently no cure.

In early April, I will be cycling and sketching and blogging my way around Scotland with a tent. Facebook Wooler to Cape Wrath.

The precise route is not set in stone but will start from Wooler, continuing up the east coast via Aberdeen and Inverness. Then to Cape Wrath – this was a bit of a whim but I was drawn to it because of its romantic name, its remoteness and it not being John O’ Groats!  If my body isn’t in tatters by this point I’ll zig-zag my way down the west coast before heading east for home. There’s no back-up or indeed much of a plan; just me and a tent and a sketchbook although I may take advantage of a few kind offers of a bed for the night and a chance to recharge batteries literally and metaphorically.

The trip is my way of raising awareness of MSA and also of the countless carers across the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases. It’s not been easy convincing my wife and children that I’m not going off on a month long holiday so now I’m calling it a sabbatical and hopefully I’ll come back with some good pictures. The MSA Trust relies entirely on donations to fund its vital research and its team of 3 specialist nurses who cover the entire UK and so of course I also hope to raise some money.

Later in the summer, work made on the road will be exhibited at my studio in Wooler with 1/3 going to the MSA Trust. Please email me if you are interested in any of the work or you'd like to be invited to further exhibitions.

Thank you for your help.