This August, we – Zoe and Andy – are each taking on the challenge of running 100 km to help our wonderful friend, Sasha, raise the money she needs for an Exopulse Mollii Suit.

Sasha is 32 and lives with Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare progressive neurological condition that affects her movement, coordination, speech and energy.

If you’ve ever met Sasha, you’ll know that her illness has never defined her. She is one of the kindest, most thoughtful and selfless people we know. Despite everything she faces every day, she is always asking how everyone else is, celebrating their successes, worrying about their struggles and making time for the people she loves.

The truth is, if anyone would be forgiven for telling the rest of us to pull our socks up when we complain about life’s little frustrations, it would be Sasha. But that’s just not who she is. She meets people with compassion, encouragement and genuine care, and has an incredible way of making everyone around her feel valued.

Recently, Sasha had the opportunity to trial an Exopulse Mollii Suit, and the difference was remarkable. During just four weeks of using the suit, she experienced improvements in her sleep, circulation, hand and arm movement and, perhaps most noticeably, her speech. Friends and family noticed the difference too.

Sadly, the suit costs around £6,200. Sasha works, but like many people living with a progressive neurological condition, money already streams out to cover the additional costs of disability, care and specialist equipment. Buying the suit outright simply isn’t possible.

So throughout August, we’ll be putting one foot in front of the other and each running 100 km to help make this life-changing piece of equipment a reality.

Every mile we run is for Sasha. Every donation, no matter how big or small, brings her one step closer to owning a suit that has already shown it can improve her quality of life.

If you’re able to support us, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If you can’t donate, we’d be incredibly grateful if you could share this page. Every share helps us reach someone new.

A little perspective…

If you know me, you’ll know I regularly threaten to start running again… and then find an excuse not to! In fact, I haven’t been for a proper run since this time last year when I I decided it had got too hot…..somehow that excuse lasted twelve months. Ironically, this August looks set to be even hotter! And Andy simply hates distance running

So, 100 km each in a month isn’t something Andy and I are taking on because it’s easy. It will be challenging, uncomfortable and require a fair bit of determination.

But if Sasha can face every single day with the courage, kindness and humour that she does, then surely we can manage a few sore legs and some sweaty runs.

Thank you for reading, for supporting us and, most importantly, for helping us put more smiles on Sasha’s face.