A father from Cumbria is taking on a mountain running challenge this weekend to raise money for charity after his daughter was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Kevin Robinson, 51, from Cockermouth, will take on the 10in10 challenge in the Lake District on Saturday to raise money for the MS Society.
He will join hundreds of people from around the world to scale 10 peaks in 10 hours.
Kevin’s daughter Angie was diagnosed with MS in early 2020. Kevin’s mother Elizabeth Ann also lived with MS – diagnosed when Kevin was just seven – and passed away in 2004.
Over 130,000 people are living with MS in the UK. MS damages nerves in your body and makes it harder to do everyday things, like walk, talk, eat and think.
Kevin said: “I can’t remember a time in my life without MS in it. My mother’s diagnosis when I was seven changed our life as a family quite dramatically. I saw my mother deteriorate throughout her life to a point where she had to have everything done for her. She passed away on Mother’s Day in 2004.
“When my daughter was diagnosed with MS just before lockdown in 2020 images of my mother’s experience flashed before my eyes. But I know the treatments available now are working well – they weren’t around for my mother. Research has changed the outcome for many people living with MS and that is why I’m taking on this challenge to raise money for this life changing research. I’m aiming to run the challenge and complete it in five hours instead of the allotted 10.”
The 10in10 challenge is organised by Yvonne and Duncan Booth in aid of the MS Society and has taken place yearly since 2011 (except for 2020 due to Covid-19).
So far the challenge has raised over £650,000 for MS research. Duncan, who lives with MS, and his wife Yvonne hope to raise over £1 million through the challenge.
Last minute places are available for this week’s challenge, which also includes a Family 5in5 option, by signing up on the day at the starting point at CA12 5UE.
For more information visit: www.10in10.org.uk/
Martin Mears, head of community and events at the MS Society, says: “We’re excited to see the 10in10 challenge back again for another year. Yvonne and Duncan’s dedication to fundraising is inspiring and we wish Kevin, and all those taking part, the best of luck.
“MS is relentless, painful and disabling, but there is reason to be hopeful. We believe we can stop MS, and can see a future where nobody needs to worry about their condition getting worse. Thanks to brilliant events like the 10in10 we are closer to reaching this goal than ever before.”
