Support Our 4 Fundraising Challenges!!

Hey Everyone!

After being stuck inside for the last 2 years, 4 of us lads will be completing a number of different fundraisers this summer to raise as much money and awareness as possible for our chosen charities, these are: National Autism Society, Myeloma UK, Erb’s Palsey Group and British Heart Foundation.

During the 12 weeks of summer we will be training and completing a…

* 2 Mile Open Water Swim (Lake Windermere)

* 100 Mile Walk (Aylesbury to Eastbourne)

* 10k Tough Mudder (London)

* 13.1 Mile Half Marathon (Reading)

Our stories:

Cam

I will be raising money for the National Autistic Society. There are around 700,000 people in the UK who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 1 in 100 children are diagnosed with this lifelong developmental disability and my younger brothers are 2 of them.

Vinnie. My little mini me! Vinnie is 7 and after 2 long years of uncomfortable testing and back forth from hospitals, he was diagnosed with Autism last year, which confirmed our suspicions. Vinnie is very sensory based, he doesn’t like loud noises or strange smells and he has to have something to chew on or feel for when he feels anxious. We knew for a while that Vinnie was different and he is learning this himself as he is getting older. Vinnie is unbelievable, so caring and kind as well as being the brightest little light in any room. Vinnie calls it his ‘superpower’ and he can spot other people who have ‘superpowers’. The fact that a 7 year old boy can turn his disability into his superpower is truly remarkable.

Reggie. My other mini-me! Reg was only 4 when we found out he had autism. He has a suspected genetic disorder which is why the diagnosis was sooner. His development is much slower than other children’s, he struggles to speak, eat, read and write along with not being able to feel pain means he needs that extra bit of attention when playing in the park. Reggie believes he is just ‘special’… and my word he is! This little man is hands down the funniest and sassiest person I’ve ever met! The self-belief and strength this 5 year old has is genuinely heroic. He can run faster than you! He’s stronger than you! He’s better at football than you and good luck to anyone who doubts him!

With the help and support of the National Autistic Society, these 2 boys like hundreds of thousands of other children and adults in the UK, deserve the ability to blossom into the beautifully equal individuals they are supposed to be.

Scott

My chosen charity is Myeloma UK.

It was May 2019 when the dreaded C word was dropped on my family again, a type that I had certainly never heard of. A blood cancer, Myeloma.

Being completely unfamiliar with the cancer type, one of my first thoughts was one I never thought I would have; would my mum be at my wedding? Me and my wife were married in the September and Mum was there, one of the stars of the show.

Mum's treatment didn't start until the November, this happened on a weekly basis. I'm still not convinced she didn't hold the treatment off until after the wedding but that's something only she will know. Not that she wouldn't of been beautiful with no hair but I'm sure she would of been thinking about the photos! Mum lost her hair pretty quickly into treatment and decided to rock the bald head early on, in an attempt to match my Dad's fresh egghead look.

During a tough covid period Mum was given the all clear and is currently in remission with regular checks. Unfortunately like most other cancer types it could potentially not be the last of it but with the help and research from Myeloma UK, statistics are improving!

Francis

I am raising money for the Erbs Palsy Group. I suffered from this condition when I was born, but thankfully, due to their help via support and Physiotherapy this has minimal affect to me now.

Erbs Palsy is relatively unknown to most but it is a condition which mainly due to birth trauma, can affect 1 or all of the 5 primary nerves that supply the movement and feeling to an arm. The paralysis can be partial or complete with damage coming by bruising or a full tear of the nerves.

Erbs Palsy Group is the only UK based charity who offer advice, information support to those who are affected by the condition.

Josh

I’m raising money for the BHF (British heart foundation) hoping this helps with their research in to heart studies which will hopefully help people like my dad for the future to come.

5 years ago, what a normal day for my dad was, waking up at 5 to venture into work. Although only this day was different as he didn’t feel well when he work up, this then turned to him ending up in reading hospital with a fast and irregular heart beat. From this day on he has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF or A-fib) is an abnormal heart (arrhythmia) characterized by rapid and irregular beat of the atrial chambers of the heart. It often begins as short periods of abnormal beating, which become longer or continuous over time. It may also start as other forms of arrhythmia such as atrial flutter that then transform into AF. Episodes can be asymptomatic.

Atrial fibrillation can occur for him at anytime and be quite uncomfortable. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include heart palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath.

Having had 3 lengthy heart operations at St Bartholemews hospital this still hasn’t been repaired, which Is why I want to help raise awareness and help for this charitable trust and illness.

We appreciate everyone taking the time to read our stories. Please support us in any way you can.

Thank you,

Cam, Scott, Francis, Josh.