ResearchSMA

100 people are set to walk 100 miles across the Jurassic Coast in June 2025 to raise funds for SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy)

Collectively we have a goal of £100,000 so any little will help!

Want to join me in making a difference?

I'm raising money to benefit RALLY ROUND RUPERT, and any donation will help make an impact.

Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about RALLY ROUND RUPERT:

To relieve the need and protect the health of children and their families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) throughout England & Wales for the public benefit by: a. Working to improve the understanding and knowledge of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) among the public. b. Providing financial support to further advance clinical research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

Last year we participated in a 100 mile walk with 100 people to raise money for Rally Round Rupert, this year we want to carry on spreading awareness and money for this amazing charity who fund important clinical trials, research and medical help for children and families with SMA.

This year we are walking the sandstone trail in Cheshire from start to finish twice over a weekend at the start of August. This charity is close to our hearts with Charley first meeting Rupert back in 2022 at The Little Gym and learning about SMA and working with the family who are amazing in the support and life they have fought for for Rupert.

Want to join me in making a difference? I’m raising money to benefit RALLY ROUND RUPERT, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about RALLY ROUND RUPERT: To relieve the need and protect the health of children and their families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) throughout England & Wales for the public benefit by: a. Working to improve the understanding and knowledge of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) among the public. b. Providing financial support to further advance clinical research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

At the end of June 2025, for the third year running, I’ll be walking 100 miles over 3 days along the Jurassic Coast (Exmouth to Bournemouth) in the south west of England.

I will be taking on this grueling challenge to help raise funds in support of my friends charity RALLY ROUND RUPERT. The charity aims to raise awareness and advance clinical research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). My friend George, his little boy Rupert, was born with the condition.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic, neuromuscular condition that causes muscle weakness and wastage due to a loss of motor neurons. Each year about 1 in 10,000 children are born with the condition and before 2016, without treatment, most children with SMA Type 1 were expected to live for less than two years. Today, early diagnosis and immediate medical intervention can significantly abate the impacts of SMA, drastically improving the quality of life for children affected, however very few people, including clinicians know about the disease.

* All money raised goes to fund clinical research to improve the lives of those affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) *

Last year James (my eldest son), Milo (our Labradoodle) and I, alongside 100 friends, completed the Cotswold Way. This year, with 2nd son Charlie added to the team, we take on our greatest challenge yet - completing 107 miles of the Jurassic Coast from Exmouth to Bournemouth over 3 days, 20 - 22 June 2025, to raise money and awareness for the Rally Round Rupert Charity. In addition to supporting Stan (who has SMA) in achieving his goal of completing the 107 miles in his wheelchair, we will be accompanied by George (Rupert's dad) in a giant Rupert outfit. Please donate to an amazing cause.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic, neuromuscular condition that causes muscle weakness and wastage due to a loss of motor neurons. Each year about 1 in 10,000 children are born with the condition and before 2016, without treatment, most children with SMA Type 1 were expected to live for less than two years. Today, early diagnosis can significantly abate the impacts of SMA, however, more awareness is needed to recognise the symptoms and clinical research is essential to improve quality of life for those affected.

More information about RALLY ROUND RUPERT: To relieve the need and protect the health of children and their families affected by SMA throughout England & Wales for the public benefit by: a. Working to improve the understanding and knowledge of SMA among the public. b. Providing financial support to further advance clinical research into SMA.

To learn more about SMA you can follow Rupert’s journey on Instagram, @rallyroundrupert.

Do you want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money by walking 110 miles and climbing over 17,000ft in just three days. This is in aid of RALLY ROUND RUPERT and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me - Dave Auckland

More information about RALLY ROUND RUPERT: To relieve the need and protect the health of children and their families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) throughout England & Wales for the public benefit by: a. Working to improve the understanding and knowledge of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) among the public. b. Providing financial support to further advance clinical research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

A team representing the Laing O'Rourke Procurement function have come together to take on this enormous 100mile Jurassic Coast Challenge.

Over the last few months, and the next few weeks leading up to the event, we will be committing our weekends and spare time to training and blister proofing our feet, giving everything we can to ensure we are able to get to the end.

Our team of Kurt Hutcheon, Kevin Horner, Adam Crompton, Tim and James Richardson, Ciaran and Deborah Considine will be representing you, joining a larger group of walkers to take on the event, over the weekend of the 20th to the 22nd of June.

Do you want to join us in making a difference in aid of supporting the wonderful RALLY ROUND RUPERT charity..... be sure that every donation will help.

We know times are tough, and appreciate anything you are able to spare to help us exceed our target. We know the team behind RRR very well, and have helped out in previous years, knowing that this is something close to many of us, your continued support os very welcome.

Please check out the links to find out more around the event and the Aims of the charity.

More information about RALLY ROUND RUPERT: To relieve the need and protect the health of children and their families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) throughout England & Wales for the public benefit by: a. Working to improve the understanding and knowledge of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) among the public. b. Providing financial support to further advance clinical research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

Please sponsor us as we embark upon the 107 mile Jurassic coastal walk on 20th - 22nd June 2025! Only 6 weeks to train, get our kit together and get our heads in the game ready for the challenge. This is one of the most beautiful, yet testing walking routes in the country. Steep hill climbs, beaches, rough descents we will see it all!

We are taking on this challenge to raise money in aid of RALLY ROUND RUPERT - every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your encouragement and support.

Currently Elouise’s walking expertise includes the daily school run. Hayley is much better equipped physically, yet together we are a force to be reckoned with! We are determined to complete the 107 miles come rain, shine, snow and the inevitable blisters…

More information about RALLY ROUND RUPERT: To relieve the need and protect the health of children and their families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) throughout England & Wales for the public benefit by: a. Working to improve the understanding and knowledge of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) among the public. b. Providing financial support to further advance clinical research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic, neuromuscular condition that causes muscle weakness and wastage due to a loss of motor neurons. Each year about 1 in 10,000 children are born with the condition and before 2016, without treatment, most children with SMA Type 1 were expected to live for less than two years. Today, early diagnosis can significantly abate the impacts of SMA, however, more awareness is needed to recognise the symptoms and clinical research is essential to improve quality of life for those affected.

The son of old friends of mine, Rupert, was diagnosed with SMA Type 1 (the most serious type of the condition) when he was just 8 weeks old. At 11 weeks old he was given life saving gene therapy on the NHS. He has to work incredibly hard every day, with daily physio and chest exercises to gain strength and mobility. They set up the RALLY ROUND RUPERT charity in early 2023 to help others living with SMA. The work that Rupert's parents, George and Charlie, have done in the face of such personal challenge is truly inspiring and will change the lives of many families.

To learn more about SMA you can watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IucxxnPfIOo and follow Rupert’s journey on Instagram, @rallyroundrupert.

This weekend, a group of 100 volunteers will attempt to walk the entire length (over 100 miles) of the Jurassic Coast, to help raise funds in support of clinical research. To increase awareness of the condition and to highlight the inaccessibility of UK rural walkways, the team also aim to transport Stan, a brilliant teenager who has SMA Type 3, a variant of the condition that onsets later in life. Stan will be transported in a custom-built wheelchair, and where necessary, lifted over walls and parts of the route that just don’t allow those with restricted mobility to access – a truly symbolic journey!

Thank you for all your support!

About the charity - RALLY ROUND RUPERT was set up to relieve the need and protect the health of children and their families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) throughout England & Wales for the public benefit. They work to improve the understanding and knowledge of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) among the public, and provide financial support to further advance clinical research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

* All money raised goes to fund clinical research to improve the lives of those affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) *

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit RALLY ROUND RUPERT, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about RALLY ROUND RUPERT: To relieve the need and protect the health of children and their families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) throughout England & Wales for the public benefit by:

a. Working to improve the understanding and knowledge of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) among the public.

b. Providing financial support to further advance clinical research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

A number of the Laing O'Rourke Digital team are embarking on a 100 mile walk, raising money in aid of RALLY ROUND RUPERT and every donation will help.

Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about RALLY ROUND RUPERT: To relieve the need and protect the health of children and their families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) throughout England & Wales for the public benefit by: a. Working to improve the understanding and knowledge of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) among the public. b. Providing financial support to further advance clinical research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic, neuromuscular condition that causes muscle weakness and wastage due to a loss of motor neurons. Each year about 1 in 10,000 children are born with the condition and before 2016, without treatment, most children with SMA Type 1 were expected to live for less than two years. Today, early diagnosis can significantly abate the impacts of SMA, however, more awareness is needed to recognise the symptoms and clinical research is essential to improve quality of life for those affected.

The son of a friend of a friend - Rupert - was diagnosed with SMA Type 1 (the most serious type of the condition) when he was just 8 weeks old. At 11 weeks old he was given life saving gene therapy on the NHS. He has to work incredibly hard every day, with daily physio and chest exercises to gain strength and mobility. His parents set up the RALLY ROUND RUPERT charity in early 2023 to help others living with SMA.

To learn more about Rupert's battle against SMA you can watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXtacElg8p4 and follow Rupert’s journey on Instagram, @rallyroundrupert.

In June 2025, as part of a group of 100 volunteers, I will attempt to walk over 100 miles of the Jurassic Coast Path, to help raise funds in support of clinical research.

In addition, the team will attempt to transport Stan, who has SMA Type 3 (a variant of the condition) the entire length of the route in a custom-built wheelchair. As part of this journey and where necessary, Stan will be lifted over parts of the route that just don’t allow those with restricted mobility to access – a truly symbolic journey!

Your sponsorship will be deeply appreciated by all those concerned, thank you for all your support!

More information about RALLY ROUND RUPERT: To relieve the need and protect the health of children and their families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) throughout England & Wales for the public benefit by: a. Working to improve the understanding and knowledge of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) among the public. b. Providing financial support to further advance clinical research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).