‘Miles for Mark Smith’ is a bike ride to raise funds for MND research and to celebrate the incredible life of Mark Smith. We’re riding 1000km down the country through our own “M-N-D route” (Morpeth - Norfolk - Dorset) starting on Monday 29th April 2024 and finishing on Saturday 11th May 2024. Our aim is to raise £20,000 for two charities: MND Association and The Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre. All funds will support critical research to find a cure for MND.

Follow our progress www.instagram.com/miles_for_marksmith/

See full route www.milesformarksmith.com

MARK’S STORY

Mark’s symptoms started in 2021 with a weakening in his hands. As it became tricker to lift his Grandson we knew something was wrong. After months of tests, waiting, and a process of elimination, we got the devastating diagnosis of MND. Throughout Mark’s illness he didn’t once complain, get angry or tell the world to bugger off (probably something we can’t say ourselves). He took it in his stride with such inspiring dignity, acceptance and calmness. So typical of this lovely person.

He was cared for by the outstanding MND team at the John Radcliff, Oxford, who we will always be so grateful to. In the months following his diagnosis we hoped that Mark would be able to join a trial or research study, but sadly this wasn’t an option for him. Our biggest hope now is that one day a cure is found and others won’t suffer from this horrible disease. This is why we’re taking on ‘Miles for Mark Smith’; to raise vital funds to support research and raise awareness to find a cure.

THE CHARITIES

The funds we raise will support two vital charities:

MND Association

The MND Association focuses on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those 5000 people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their vision is A WORLD FREE FROM MND. The funds raised from Miles for Mark Smith will be donated to the research arm of the MND Association. A leader in funding and promoting research projects which help us to understand the disease process and uncover new treatments. Ultimately bringing us closer to a cure.

The Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre

Mark was under the care of the incredible MND team at the John Radcliff, Oxford. This is team is part of the Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre. Researchers at the Oxford MND Centre are trying to understand the causes of MND, how it could be effectively treated and ultimately prevented by combining the study of samples and scans from patients with laboratory models (for example growing nerve cells in a dish).