David's Diary: Why I'm cycling from London to Paris for the MS Trust


3 January 2023

David and his friend with their bicycles

In his latest diary, our CEO David Martin shares what he is doing to celebrate the MS Trust's 30th birthday in 2023, and why you should consider joining him.

Have you binned your New Year’s resolution yet?

I have decided to combine my love of cycling and my passion for the MS Trust in 2023. I am planning to cycle more than 300 miles from London to Paris in July.

I’ve decided to take on this rather large challenge for several reasons.

First and foremost, we at the MS Trust can only do the great things we do thanks to people raising money for us through fundraising, whether it’s running marathons or having a cake sale. We don’t receive a penny from the Government or the NHS.

I know that fundraising is tough at the moment. Most people are struggling to cope because the cost of living is going through the roof. So, I thought that if I can lead by example and try and raise £2,000 towards a new MS Nurse for the NHS, it might just inspire one or two others to do the same thing. I know times are tough, but with more than 200,000 people on the neurology waiting lists, the money we can raise and the additional staff we can provide are more important than ever.

Another reason for me donning my lycra is that it’s the Trust’s 30th birthday in 2023 and I felt I ought to push myself and do something special to commemorate the occasion rather than just make lots of speeches and blow out lots of candles. Raising vital funds to help ensure the MS Trust can continue helping people with MS for the next 30 years and beyond seems as good a reason as ever.

And I also want to get fit in 2023. Those people that know me will know I am a bit of a cake monster. The training and the four days in the saddle between London and Paris will be long and tough, especially as I am on the wrong side of 60 and have a false knee. It will be a stretch. But the sense of achievement and the genuine thrill of cycling and giving something back to the MS Trust just feels like the right thing to do in these tough times.

Your support would really be appreciated. Whether its 30p or £30, it all makes a big difference for a great cause. And you have my personal guarantee that the money will be spent sensibly. If you are feeling generous, here is a link to my Justgiving page

Or, if you fancy a challenge too, why not join me on this epic ride? I have previously ridden from London to Amsterdam for the MS Trust and the experience of riding alongside so many people in MS Trust shirts is one that I will never forget.

Find out more

The London to Paris cycle will be taking place from 19 to 24 July. Find out more information and sign up for this exciting ride

...it’s the Trust’s 30th birthday in 2023 and I felt I ought to push myself and do something special to commemorate the occasion rather than just make lots of speeches and blow out lots of candles.