Evie's Batten Journey

Evie is a happy, sociable girl who should be playing with her friends and enjoying the best times of her life, however, last year she was diagnosed with the life-limiting condition Battens CLN5.

We want to make Evie's time as comfortable and fun packed as possible, helping make a massive impact on her quality of life.

Battens disease is a neurodegenerative condition with no current treatment. It will progressively cause Evie to suffer from blindness, epileptic seizures and mobility issues that will result in Evie needing a wheelchair and will significantly shorten her life. To say Evie’s family is devastated would be an understatement. They are now focused on making sure Evie’s remaining years are happy, comfortable and provide her with rich experiences while she is able to enjoy them.

As Evie and her family are part of our close neighbourhood here in Melrose, I want to do my little bit to support their quest. You can read more on Evie's Journey here - https://just4children.org/evies-journey/

The Challenge

On Friday 23rd June. I plan to start a cycle/run of the route (or as near as I can) called Dere Street, the old Roman road which ran from York, through Boroughbridge, Piercebridge, Corbridge to Hadrians Wall and onto Trimontium, before crossing Soutra Hill to its terminus on the Antonine Wall at Camelon near Falkirk.

Much of the route still forms part of our modern road network and my plan is to cycle the 123 miles from York to Rochester in Northumberland the first day.

Then on Saturday 24th June, run the final section of 34 miles (mostly off road) through the Otterburn military ranges* onto the old marching camp of Chew Green, dropping down from the Cheviots to Towford, onto Mounthooly, before finally running parallel to the A68 from Harestanes to St Boswells and over to Trimontium before finishing up in Melrose.

The distance is a total of approx.158 miles with a total climb of around 12,600 feet.

Thank you in advance for your generosity, any donation, no matter what size will make a huge difference to Evie, so please give what you can and keep an eye on my progress.

Keith

*Permission has been given by the Military for me to run through the Otterburn ranges at a specific time.