New Coast2coast bike ride for MS Research

The team is very pleased that 3 adventurous and young men are going to do another Coast to Coast crossing for MS Research. This time it will be on a bike. Well, three bikes.

We received this message from David Graham:

Myself and two of my friends are going to be doing the coast to coast bike ride on August 26 for 7 days. I am 17 and my friends are 17 and 18, so this is our first event we are doing for charity. We are going from St Bee's to Robin Hoods Bay, which is 210 miles. We have decided to do this for MS research. We aim to raise at least £500.00 but we believe we can get more than that.

We start on the 26 August departing from Basingstoke railway station, arriving at St Bee's at 17.47 and that's where it all begins. We are going to be staying in youth hostels and camping a couple of nights. We are cycling around 20 miles on the first evening to reach the first youth hostel which is a barn.

David added this comment:

"So please dig deep and donate now."

MS Research welcomes this generous event full of youthful energy! This is how to create your own page!

Information event about MS Research charity

Come and meet MS Research charity at The Mall shopping centre at Broadmead in Bristol THIS Saturday 20th June between 10am and 4pm.

I Want to Ride My Bike for MS Research

MS Research charity is very pleased that Neel Shah has volunteered to ride from London to Paris to help the research.
We feel that it is fantastic that he is paying for the hidden costs of the journey: ferry, support and accommodation. This means that all the sponsoring he will get will go to help the research. Here is some of what he said on his justgiving page:

As some of you may know I've stupidly decided to ride from London to Paris on a bike!that's 500km within 4 days. Thinking it wouldn't be too dificult I agreed to this event with some friends but having fallen off my bike on the first training session and having had a few knocks since, I'm begining to think this may not be as easy as first thought.

Having recently spent time with my cousin who suffers greatly from Multiple Sclerosis, a condition which affects the ability of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to communicate with each other, I have decided to raise money for MS Research, a dedicated MS charity committed to raising funds for research that will make a real difference for those who have MS and those who share their lives. Please give whatever you can because every donation really does make a difference.

The cost of travel for this trip is meant to come out of the donations I collect, however I have decided to cover this cost myself, so all contributions made by you will go to MS Research.

What a jolly good fellow! Less than a month to go, let's give him a push!

Coast2coastrun Made it to the Beach!

The week passed, Phil Boardman and Ian Daniels completed their 7 marathons in 7 Days yesterday at about 5pm when they reached the beach at Robin Hood's Bay. These two intrepid fundraisers did it! I was crying. They also have smashed their minimum target on Justgiving for the charity MS Research.

I spoke the night before to Rosemary Howell the Fundraising Manager of the event. She had said:

They are both well but have some niggling pains. They are determined to finish the run!

It was a bit worrying as it had been close to the start that Ian twisted his ankle and Phil had blisters. So, I was worried and thinking of them all day!

I could not wait any longer and phoned Rosemary again just after 6pm to find out the news. We both were very emotional as she told me:

They reached the beach at 5pm! Their families were there to greet them with some champagne. They put a foot in the sea, all were absolutely delighted!

They have done a wonderful thing: they ran to help people with Multiple Sclerosis walk and have treatment!

Coast2coastrun Sends Update

Rosemary Howell of MS Research charity sent an update on the coast2coastrun by Phil Boardman and Ian Daniels.

Day 1 St Bees Head to Stonethwaite

At the start of the day the weather was cloudy, with a cold wind off the sea. Phil and Ian got off to a good start at 9.0am watched by family and supporters. One lady from the village had heard Ian talking on BBC Radio Cumbria about the run in aid of MS Research, and had come along to wish them well. Her sister had Multiple Sclerosis, so she was keen to wish the runners good luck. Her visit gave them a tremendous boost. Rendezvous points had been arranged on route to check on their progress and ensure they had plenty of liquids and energy for the run. 30 miles later they arrived at Stonethwaite in good shape although tired.

Distance run: 30.5 miles
Ascent: 3400

Day 2 Stonethwaite to Bampton

The day dawned clear and bright after an overnight stay at Honister Youth Hostel. The weather continued to be unexpectedly sunny and warm as they ran up three big mountain ranges, including Helvelyn. This was always destined to be the most difficult and challenging day of the week in terms of climbs and mileage covered. The ascent and descent was punishing on ankles and feet, and as a consequence Ian turned an ankle which proved painful in the evening. Phil started to find niggling blisters and foot problems were developing.

Distance run: 29 miles
Ascent: 6,500 feet

Day 3 Bampton to Kirby Stephen

The runners awoke to warm spring sunshine which turned in to an extremely hot sunny day, almost as hot as a summer day. As Phil and Ian left the Lake District they still encountered some tough climbing through the hills. Feet and ankles continued to suffer with the punishing terrain. Sunburn was a feature, and Phil commented that on one side of his face he looked as though he had holidayed in the Mediterranean, whilst the other side had been on holiday to Iceland!

Distance run: 25.25 milesAscent:

Day 4 Kirby Stephen to Reeth

After watching the parrots flying around Kirby Stephen (we all saw them, and no one was hallucinating!) Phil and Ian also got off to a flying start. This was another day of fantastic weather, so Phil was able to top up his sunburn. Again the route and the running was not for the faint hearted with much climbing in to the Yorkshire Dales. A rendezvous point at Keld village celebrated the half way point of the run. Feet and ankles continued to be tormented and punished by the terrain, and were a cause for concern in the evening and following morning.

Distance: 23.5 miles
Ascent: 2,500 feet

Phil will have to run backwards as a donor, with incredible knowledge of these things, had suggested! :-)

News after Day 3 of coast2coastrun

When Phil was resting after running the marathon on Day 3; the next stage was firmly in his mind. MS Research charity is very proud of his efforts. He has not got anytime to update his coast2coastrun page on Justgiving. I am very happy to relay this, which I gleaned from Phil's Facebook wall:

We have completed Day 3. Managed to do the whole of the Lakes in the first two days and are progressing well - covered approx. 90 Miles. Legs are sore but there's plenty left in the tank!

Then Matt a wellwisher who seems to know the route could not help add:

Keep it up Phil. It sounds like you are going well. I hope the swamp monster on Nine Standards Rigg stays asleep as you pass.
Enjoy Reeth, then its heads down across the boring bit to Ingleby Cross.
Good luck.

Is it really any easier at anytime? What about this swamp monster? We'll want to know all about that!

Coast2coastrun in Good Form on Easter

I got news from the C2C Run for MS Research charity. I phoned Rosemary, our fundraiser, she gave me some news about how Phil and Ian were doing.
The first day was OK but the second day was the hardest. They sustained a few injuries but they are still running with great determination. They had to go across 3 mountain ranges in Cumbria.
Their Justgiving page was already over their minimum target when they started. Now it shows on the graph that it is 102%. That does not include the offline donations that they are collecting on the way.
I am so pleased to be able to let you know that our event "7 Marathons in 7 Days" is still going strong.