Colin Moss
Colin Moss's Fundraising Page
Fundraising for Motor Neurone Disease Association
Story
We did it folks!!... but please do keep the donations coming! I update this page and photos regularly so please read on and look at my latest photos and video: Hi everyone, my name is Colin Moss I am delighted to announce that on Sunday 30th Aug both Alec Jenkins and myself successfully completed Ashley Morgan's Shortest Walk Challenge in Forbury Gardens, Reading. Ashley, a fellow MND patient from Farnham, raised a staggering £5,200 for the MND Association by walking 225 yards in 22 mins 5 secs. She then challenged anyone living with MND (and still just able to walk) to raise more money than she did. I was first to take up Ashley's challenge 4 months ago, after being inspired by a speech she made about her walk at last year's MND Association Annual Conference and then reading about her challenge in the Association's Thumbprint magazine. I was delighted when Alec joined in the challenge a month ago and he has helped raise the sponsorship total.
We both achieved our target distances - I walked 1/4 of a mile and Alec 250 yards. Good going considering that neither of us can walk one step without our wheeled walkers and Alec spends most of his time in a wheelchair. When we set our targets neither of us believed that we could actually achieve them but as an added bonus our training has actually improved our mobility. I trained hard for the walk (using a stepper machine) and surprised myself and just about everyone else by completing the distance in 21 minutes. Not a PB but the farthest I have managed for 5 years. In fact it worked out well: I was able to walk faster than Alec but our courses joined at the end and we met up perfectly and walked the last 10 yards to the finish line together. I had to make rest stops about every 40 yards but finished much quicker than I had thought possible. I slept well last night though.
We had a competition with prizes for guessing nearest our finishing times. My brother asked me for a tip off, I thought it would take me 40-45 minutes but couldn't give him that information so I told him "nearer an hour than 10 minutes"! I think he guessed around 45 minutes - consequently he was jokingly trying to slow me down at every rest point along the way!!!! Scottish bagpiper Peter Whyte, dressed in full regallia led us around the park making for a great atmosphere. Waltham St Lawrence Silver Band played in the bandstand from which finished off the day nicely despite the chilly weather. I even posed for pictures in an Arsenal shirt to get more sponsorship from an Arsenal fan friend. As a Spurs fan that was against all my principles but I had to do it for my charity (Jon has paid up!)!
Thank you all so much for the generosity of your sponsorship and supportive messages. Your support has been absolutely stupendous but please keep the donations coming and see if we can get as near the target as possible. Some donations have come from people who don't even know me, also from old friends I haven't seen in over 20 years so please get in touch so I can thank you personally. My e-mail address is colincmoss@hotmail.co.uk
My list of people to thank is endless but special thanks to:
Shan, Ashley (plus Colin & her parents), My brothers Dave (& Pat) and Alan (and Liz), Jan (fundraiser extraordinaire) & Ed, Dave Ennis (timekeeper/course measurer), Margaret (organiser), Jane (publicity) Joanna, Val, Ann, Mary and Elaine. Trudi from National Office, Peter Whyte the Scottish bagpiper, Gordon Chard (who helped me to my rest seat) and his family, Gill Diggins and family, plus all the friends and supporters who went so out of their way to support me (including Colin and Jackie, Jean, Terry, Andy, Mark, Kathie & Bill and Jennie, etc, etc........).
An added bonus was having the support of X Factor winner Danyl Johnson and two other X Factor contenders Ethan Boroian and Lloyd Daniels who wowed the judges this week.Many people worked hard to make this walk a success. It is not just about money - we wanted to make people more aware of MND. A recent poll indicated that unless they are prompted only 1% of the general public know what MND is. Ashley came all the way from Farnham to support Alec and I and her parents pledged an amazing £100 (as I was first to rise to her challenge). It was especially good to meet Ashley who inspired the challenge which has created so much awareness as well as fabulous fundraising. Great to have Trudi Willis from National Office with us too.
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal chord. As they die off, messages to muscles are lost, causing the muscles to weaken and waste. In most cases it is rapidly progressive affecting the ability to do things we normally take for granted (e.g. walk, speak, write, swallow and eventually breathe). 50% of MND sufferers die within 2-3 years and there is no known cure. I have been relatively very lucky to have survived with it for 7 and a half years since receiving my diagnosis (as only 10% survive beyond 10 years). I have lost many friends from MND in that time but I still believe in being positive.
The MND Association has given enormous help and support to me, Alec and other sufferers, their carers and families. Reading & West Berkshire are lucky to have one of the very best local branches in the UK, with a terriffic group of dedicated volunteers. They inspired me so much I joined their committee and trained so that I can visit and support others with MND.
The money you donate will directly help to fund essential items such as disabled shower adaptions, wheelchair ramps, stair-lifts, through-floor lifts, riser/recliner chairs, etc., plus carer respite. Such items need to be put into place rapidly as time is something most people with MND don't have.
Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Motor Neurone Disease Association gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
My challenge is to raise more sponsorship money than Ashley raised for her walk (£5200) so I have set my target high but any sponsorship would be great no matter how little.
Lets help to beat this cruel disease together!
Many thanks and best regards
Colin