Calne firefighter, Russell Crocker is back in training ahead of a 335-mile cycling challenge to raise funds for The Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND) who have been supporting his brother and his family through a difficult time.
Last year we brought you the story of Russell and his brother Richard, as Russell was preparing to cycle the MND Association London 2 Paris Cycle challenge.
Richard, was diagnosed with MND in 2020 after experiencing symptoms for over a year. Motor neurone disease (MND) is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets worse over time. There's no cure for MND, but there are treatments to help reduce the impact it has on a person's daily life.
Russell told us: "My brother Richard, a former Police officer but now medically retired, has been living with Motor Neurone Disease for the last five years.
"As a family it has not been easy for us to adjust to this terrible disease and it’s been an incredibly tough journey for all of us but most of all for Richard. He is 45 years old and is now totally reliant on his carers and family, 24 hours a day, unable to talk, move or eat and drink and is fed via a tube.
"If you have followed Rob Burrow’s story, you’ll know how incredibly hard it is to witness someone experiencing this unforgiving disease and yet, in spite of all this, Richard continues to fight his battle with courage and an indomitable spirit.The charity has helped Richard and our family with so much over the last few years and so we would like to continue giving something back."
Russell completed his 315 mile ride to Paris in 2023, raising an incredible £5,400 for the charity and this year he will be taking part in a ride from London to Amsterdam. He will start his ride in London on Wednesday 4th September, cycling approximately 335 miles to arrive in Amsterdam on Saturday 8th September.
This year, in a bid to raise as much money as possible for the charity, Russell is offering local businesses the opportunity to sponsor him by buying a logo placement on his cycling shirt. Starting at just £250 this gives sponsors the opportunity to be seen by thousands on social media whilst making a very real difference to people's lives by supporting this charity.
And, if you're not a business but would like to donate to this fundraiser you can do so via this JustGiving page, all sponsorship goes directly to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
If you would like to discuss anything in more detail, please do reach out:
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