‘CyclingforBryan’ John O’Groats to Lands End – Raising Funds and Awareness for Motor Neurone Disease

During the first two weeks of May (2nd – 12th) a team of eight brave cyclists will be travelling 1,000 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End for the ‘CyclingforBryan’ challenge – raising money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The team will be cycling in support of Shropshire based, Bryan Challenor.

The #CyclingforBryan Challenge

In June 2014, Bryan Challenor, a local and well known figure in the farming sector, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. The hardest part of this diagnosis is that no doctor or specialist can explain how you develop this disease and they cannot offer any treatment either, because there isn’t any. There is currently no Government funding to support MND and income for research and patient support comes from voluntary donations. The MND Association has invested over £9.5 million to 36 research projects.

The news was devastating for Bryan and his wide network of family and friends. In an attempt to raise valuable funds for the MND charity and raise awareness of the disease CyclingforBryan has been organised. 

Fighting Against MND

Marion Challenor, Bryan’s wife comments; “We have all heard the saying many times, but it's not until something goes really wrong, that we realise the most important things in life are our family and friends. When we heard of Bryan’s health news, we were all totally devastated but we knew that we had to remain strong and positive for Bryan as he fights this illness.

“As long as I have known Bryan, he has always been willing to support and raise money for good causes. When a close friend of ours mentioned that he wanted to organise an event, “CyclingforBryan”, which could raise a considerable amount of money for the MND Association, I was shocked yet thrilled! Bryan is so proud to see this charity event take shape and to know that his family, friends and customers will help to raise as much money as they possibly can.”

The Magnificent Eight

‘Team Bryan’ is made-up of 8 friends. En-route and at different stages of the challenge they will be joined by family, friends and supporters who will join ‘Team Bryan’ for a mile or a day. The cycle route has been meticulously planned and an excellent support team will be accompanying the cyclists throughout their journey. The team, who start their cycle on Saturday 2nd May 2015, are asking people to join in on their journey; a supportive wave as they cycle past or small donation to MND will really help boost the team morale. To keep up to date with the team’s progression on their route, follow the live Twitter updates @Cycling4Bryan and #cyclingforbryan.

Bryan Challenor said; “Thank you to everyone who has donated already – we have been overwhelmed with the kind and generous support. Our aim is that one day, with the money raised from campaigns such as ‘CyclingforBryan’ that doctors will know WHY you get this disease and find a CURE for it. Thank you to all our fantastic sponsors and to every single person who has donated – you’re support means the world to us all.”