This May, two families—the Nashes and the Frenches—are taking on a challenge together to raise money and awareness for mitochondrial disease, in support of our close friend who lives with this condition.

Mitochondrial disease (or mito) affects the parts of cells that produce energy. When someone has mito, their body struggles to create the energy needed for everyday life—whether that’s walking, thinking, digesting food, or simply breathing. There’s currently no cure, and treatment options are limited, but with more research, we can change that.

Our friend, who lives with mito, travels from Nottingham to the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research in Newcastle for specialist appointments—a journey of about 165 miles. So in May, each of us will be aiming to cover that same distance—165 miles per person, through swimming, cycling, running, or rowing.

That’s roughly 5.5 miles a day per person. It won’t be easy, but it’s nothing compared to the challenges people with mito face every day.

We’ve chosen to support The Lily Foundation, the UK’s leading mitochondrial disease charity. They fund cutting-edge research into better treatments and, hopefully, a cure. They also provide support for families living with mito, helping them navigate life with this complex and challenging condition.

Every donation, big or small, will help us reach our goal and make a difference. Your support means a huge amount—not just to us, but to our friend, and to everyone affected by mitochondrial disease.