Our great friend, Andy Syvret, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in the autumn of 2022.

Andy is one of life's loveliest people. This tough diagnosis is one of several knocks he and his delightful family have suffered over the last few years. We'd love you to help us fundraise to help both Andy & his family; and to progress research towards a cure for MND.

We're planning several events including a charity ball and various sponsored sporting activities.

Together with Andy we've decided to split our fundraising with an overall target of £100,000:

1. Jemima's Journey via Tree of Hope - Andy's daughter Jemima has quadriplegic cerebral palsy. She is a wheelchair user and requires ongoing physiotherapy. We'd like to raise £50,000 towards the cost of a new van capable of carrying both Jemima's wheelchair and in anticipation of Andy's needs; and for Jemima's treatment.

2. My Name'5 Doddie Foundation - we'd also like to raise £50,000 towards MND support and research via the charity founded by the inspirational Scottish rugby international, Doddie Weir.

So far we've the following planned:

13th May 2023 - A crew from Langstone Pilot Gig Club will race round the Isle of Wight (likely with other gig clubs). They'd like to raise as much money as possible in support of the Syvrets and in memory of Kath Brett. Kath was a wonderful person and great friend of Langstone Pilot Gig Club who sadly died on 31st December 2022 from MND. Kath's son, Adam, is part of our crew. The crew will be trying to break the gig rowing record of 7hrs56mins for a circumnavigation of the island. The row will be 10 years on from a similar event which Andy took part in, then raising funds for Jemima to have an operation in the USA.

Update - The row was completed in 10hrs, 50mins - whilst no record was beaten, we were delighted to have raised £11,000! Massive thanks to all those who sponsored us. A lovely pub meal was enjoyed by the crew and the Syvrets afterwards.

Later in 2023 - watch this space as there are various events being planned including a charity ball, ultra marathon, supporters running in the Salisbury half marathon, Great South Run, Race to the Kings and a bike ride along the South Downs Way.

Please follow the links from this page to the MyName'5 Doddie and Jemima's Journey pages. We'd love you to split your giving 50/50 please.