We are grateful to the many members, their families and friends and supporters who regularly take part in fundraising events to raise money for NASS.
If you would like to help support NASS in this way, there are numerous events around the UK to choose from including marathons, bike rides, walks, and even sky dives or you can even plan your own fundraising event. It can be great fun and can be extremely rewarding.
Whatever you choose to do, please let us know so we can provide you with the fundraising materials to get you started. Email admin@nass.co.uk or call 020 8948 9117.
Here are a selection of events and activities members and supporters of NASS have been doing throughout 2010 so far:
IAN SWANSTON CHARITY GOLF DAY
Organised in memory of Ian Swanston, a NASS member and keen golfer, the 7th Annual Ian Swantston Charity Golf Day returned on Friday 25 September 2009 at the Aldwickbury Park Golf Club, Harpenden in Hertfordshire.
Organised by his widow Annie, this event has raised an astounding £40,000 for NASS since its inception in 2003. We are extremely grateful to Annie and everyone who helps with the Golf Day for their continued support.
ROYAL PARKS PLACES FILLED!
We are delighted that we have filled our places for the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon on 10 October. Taking part for us this year are:
Jessica Blastland - a physiotherapist who also took part for NASS last year
Kate Cameron - who also took part in Run to the Beat last year and raised money for NASS
Janni Nielsen - a NASS member who is keen to support us any way she can
Simon Owen - son of St Albans branch contact Trevor
James Sumpter - Simon's friend who is a fitness enthusiast
Thank you to you all for taking part, raising awareness and of course money for us.
18 June 2010
THE BOB GRAHAM ROUND - RAJ'S BIG CHALLENGE
Raj Mahapatra has taken on one of the biggest challenges you could think of. He took on the Bob Graham round which is climbing 42 peaks in 24 hours, a staggering 70 miles. Although he did not manage to finish it, completing around 40 miles, this is still a massive achievement for Raj and we are very grateful for the effort he has put in to raise £1630 for us.
If you would like to support Raj please visit his Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/takingonbob
Raj will be trying to do this again in June next year... Watch this space!
7 July 2010
PAUL & FRIENDS COMPLETE CYCLE CHALLENGE
Paul Sheerin and his friends completed the Skye to Glasgow cycle on Saturday 5 June. Below Paul Decribes his experiences:
We nailed it! 16 hours and 40 minutes after leaving Glen Brittle the Polaroid Eyewear Cycle Team arrivedin Glasgow. With 12 hours and 10 minutes actual cycling time, we covered the 187 miles at an average speed of 15.5 mph, including the 9700 feet of hill climbs along the way.
Here’s how the day went. We started at our planned 0445 time, leaving the stunning Glen Brittle with the sun rising over the Cuillin mountains.
Glen Brittle is a bit of a brutal climb – the steepest gradient of the day and a shock to the system after porridge, bananas and 4 hours sleep (at best – many thanks to the Italian visitors sharing the youth hostel…). We cruised across Skye with the roads to ourselves and the dawn chorus as a soundtrack, arriving at the ferry almost one and a half hours to spare. The support team of Pete and Jan, Barbara and Evelyn kicked in straight away. While Pete, Jan and Barbara prepared and served breakfast, Team physio Evelyn started what would be a day long task to work on Eric’s dodgy knees.
Then leaving Mallaig disaster struck. My (six week old!) chain snapped tearing my rear gear off and buckling my rear wheel. Pete and Jan supplied me with the spare bike and then raced ahead to Oban to see if a cycle shop could repair it in time. With almost half an hour lost in changeover we set off on the Mallaig to Fort William road.
By the time we got to Fort William the bike was fixed and after another fuel break we headed down Loch Linnhe towards Ballachullish, for the first time facing a head wind as the westerly wind blew hard in the face coming off the sea loch. To counter the wind and now heavier traffic we cycled two pelotons – Crawford, Bennie and Eric at the front and Dave and myself as pair following a distance behind. But, as we were all day, this was just the blessing in disguise, for as we turned to face the more than 10 mile climb of Glencoe, we had the wind in the back just when we needed it most. Glencoe was stunning, and very tough, a hill that just keeps going. And when you reach the summit on Rannoch moor it drops you back down half way only to have to climb it all again.
We arrived at stop number 3, Tyndrum, ahead of schedule and truthfully tired after the longest and toughest leg. The magic powers of one leg to go, rice pudding and jam for tea and a surprise visit at the stop by Geert Gritter and his family put us back on the bikes with renewed push.
In fact so much push that as we careered out of Crianlarich in a 5 man Peloton at around 20+ mph, someone (they know who they are) forgot that cycling is a non contact sport. Number 3 clipped number 2’s wheel and went down. Number 4 (me) hit the brakes too hard went over the handlebars into the mess. Number 5 ran into the cyclist soup. I do remember thinking as I went sailing over the handlebars in slow motion ‘I wonder if my leg will hold up…’, and once again the cards were in our favour. A few skinned knees and knuckles, a few bent bits on bikes but nothing serious, and especially no cars to run into the tangle of bodies. 5 minutes later we were up and off again meeting up with our familiar Loch Lomond and a feeling of almost home. We stopped at Tarbert for a coffee and chance to clean the cuts, and then down Loch Lomond to home.
At home, some friends and neighbours joined our team and support crew as we sat out of the front of the house and had a glass of champagne, followed by glasses of milk for recuperation. I phoned my Dad and he welcomed me into the now slightly less exclusive club. The sun was still shining and it was still light at 1030 as we called it a night (and a day).
I really enjoyed the day – all of it. All of the training and preparation was worth it, and we all saw a lot of Scotland at its absolute best. The weather could not have been better, and the support team was fantastic – special thanks to Jan, Pete, Barbara and Evelyn – as you have read above, without them we simply would not have made it.
As well as indulging my challenge we have also now raised close to £2000 for NASS, the ankylosing spondylitis charity and my sincere thanks to all who donated.
Updated 10 June 2010
DAVID CYCLING THE LENGTH OF BRITAIN
David Piper will be cycling literally the length of Great Britain when he cycles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in July. He tells us “My Dad has AS, so I'm familiar with the symptoms and limitations it can impose. We went on a few family cycling holidays when my sister and I were younger, but since we both left for Uni, the joint summer activities have ceased, and my bike was pushed to the back of the garage. I brought it to Edinburgh (where I'm studying) this year t
o get to and from lectures, and decided to challenge myself (and my bike) this summer. Once I realised the fund-raising opportunity was too good to miss, NASS was the obvious choice.” To support David please visit his fundraising page www.justgiving.com/davecyclestheuk.
UPDATE:
David managed to finish his cycle on 26 July and has raised over £1000 for NASS. As you can see from his photographs, he has seen every corner of the UK on his travels!
18 March 2010
Updated 27 August 2010
ALEX TO RUN HER FIRST MARATHON
Alex Shepherd is to run her first ever marathon for NASS – in November! Alex is a member of NASS looking to raise £2,000 for us. If a marathon is not enough for you, Alex’s mother, Alison, is taking part in a 3 mile swim also to raise money for NASS. If you would like to support these brave ladies please go to their fundraising page www.justgiving.com/ashepherd.
27 August 2010
IT'S A GREAT NORTH SWIM FOR LYDIA AND ORLA
Lydia Brear and Orla Mannion will be swimming for NASS on 4 September up in Lake Windermere when they take part in the Great North Swim. Lydia’s father is a member and she would like to raise money to support our work. Orla. who is a NASS member, took part last year and raised £700 for NASS.
To support Lydia go to www.justgiving.com/Lydia-Brear
To support Orla go to www.justgiving.com/orla-mannion
27 August 2010
ANNIE RUNNING 5K FOR NASS
For the 4th year in a row, Annie Webster will be taking part in the Adidas 5k Challenge in September. To support Annie please click here.
10 June 2010
VALERIE TO RUN TO THE BEAT FOR SISTER
Valerie Filliette’s sister was diagnosed with AS a few years ago. In honour of her sister, to raise awareness of AS and some money for NASS, Valerie is taking part in this year’s Run to the Beat. This is a funky event held in London with live sets from DJs as participants race around the streets.
18 March 2010
JONATHAN AND FRIENDS OFF UP NORTH
Jonathan Ball and some of his friends are competing in this year’s Great North Run on 19 September. Jonathan has had AS since 2003 and his condition has improved significantly since the introduction of new treatments.
To donate please click here.
18 March 2010
Updated 10 June 2010
MANCHESTER TO BLACKPOOL FOR KATE
Kate Plant, a NASS member and Stockport branch contact, will be cycling from Manchester to Blackpool in July. Some of our readers may remember David and Peter Howarth took part last year. To support Kate click here.
UPDATE:
Congratulations to Kate on completing the cycle and also raising £345 for NASS in the process!
18 March 2010
Updated 27 August 2010
LIZZIE TO DO IT AGAIN FOR NASS
Lizzie Grisdale, a member of NASS is again taking part in the Sovereign Harbour Crossing in New Zealand on 21 November. This time however she is also taking part in SEVEN other swims across some of New Zealand’s most beautiful stretched of water. Lizzie has already managed to complete 4 out of the set - best of luck with the rest of them Lizzie!
To support Lizzie please visit her fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/lizziesoceanswims
UPDATE:
Lizzie has now completed all of her swims and even managed a personal best in the King of the Bays race. She has also raised £345 along the way.
Updated 18 March 2010
Updated 27 August 2010
ROBERT AND FRIENDS GO LONDON TO PARIS
Robert Goss and his friends cycled the 350 miles from the London Eye to the Eiffel Tower, two iconic symbols in Europe. They did it in 3 days and raised £940 for NASS. Well done guys!
27 August 2010 |
