I'm taking part in the Duchenne Dash - Duchenne UK's signature fundraising event, that challenges cyclists to ride 300km from London to Paris in just 24 hours! All money raised from the Duchenne Dash funds vital research and accelerates the development of treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This is a big challenge for someone who has only cycled about 50km at one time! Please donate if you can and together, we will end Duchenne!

My son Finn was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in February 2022, when he was 3 years old. This devastating diagnosis changed our lives forever.

DMD is a rare, incurable genetic disease, which causes progressive muscle wasting and also affects the heart and breathing. Around 100 boys a year in the UK are diagnosed with this awful disease, but there is no cure and no real treatment.

Duchenne will gradually take away Finn’s ability to do the things we all take for granted. This is because his body does not produce a vital protein called dystrophin, which strengthens and protects muscles. He struggles with mobility and fatigue and will increasingly rely on a wheelchair over the course of his childhood.

Our cheeky, vivacious boy, who makes friends wherever he goes with his gorgeous smile and laugh, will live a shortened, and very different life to the one we had imagined for him, but we are determined to make it the best life possible. You can follow our journey on Instagram @fightforfinn.

Understanding of this disease and how to manage it, is improving and life expectancy is increasing as a result. As this understanding grows, scientists are getting closer to developing more effective treatments, with fewer damaging side effects, and even possibly one day a cure, but we aren’t there yet.

We want to do whatever we can to help make sure that everyone with Duchenne gets the best possible care and support, and that in future no family has to go through this. That’s why we are raising money for Duchenne UK – to help build awareness and understanding of DMD and to fund research and clinical trials, which could one day save lives.

Finn is a resilient and determined boy. He always finds a way to do things and enjoy life, even if his body doesn’t work quite the same as those around him. You can help Finn, and others like him, and together we can show that strength is so much more than muscle.

Thank you for your support!

Matt (and Katie, Finn and Izzie) xxx