Ian’s donors helped him smash his original fundraising target of £4,000 for his sponsored ‘Duchenne Dash’ cycle ride for charity from London to Paris last month.
“Remembering all those that have sponsored me kept the wheels turning,” said the 54-year-old Bidborough resident, who was introduced to the muscular dystrophy charity by a neighbour.
Contributors included Ian’s friends, family and village neighbours, as well as colleagues at commercial property developer Kingsbridge Estates, based in Tangmere, West Sussex.
“When I had to really dig in, I just focused on all the good the Duchenne UK charity does and the mums and dads whose sons live in hope of the research finding a treatment,” he said.
The charity has invested over £9million in medical research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), which causes all the muscles in the body to gradually weaken, including the heart and lungs.
Duchenne UK has funded 34 clinical trial staff at sites across the UK, as well as supporting families with their diagnoses and care of their children.
The condition mostly affects boys, with some rare girls also diagnosed, and the charity estimates there are 2,500 people living with DMD in the UK, while 20,000 children are born with DMD globally each year.
The riders pedalled from Herne Hill in southeast London to Newhaven and crossed the Channel by ferry, before cycling from Dieppe to Paris.
“I’m grateful for everyone who has supported me and very pleased with the total. It makes training worth it,” he said.
Riders pay for all their own travel and expenses, so all funds raised go directly to the charity.
Ian was among 140 riders taking part in the event to raise money for Duchenne UK, who raised £600,000 in total.
