Siblings Helen and Ian planned to take part in the Asics 10K to support the MS Trust. But like so many mass participation events, they have been told this event is no longer taking place on 5 July 2020. Rather than be disappointed, they have decided to put their weeks of training to use and run their very own 10k. Here they share why they are still donning their running shoes to support the MS Trust.
If you are thinking of supporting the MS Trust in these difficult times, we would encourage you to do it!
5 May 2020
Our family has been deeply impacted by living with multiple sclerosis. Our dad, and so our mum, have lived with this condition since we were teenagers. We celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary earlier this year (pictured with grandchildren Amelie and Felix).
What we want to share, is really a good old-fashioned story about what love really is. For it shows us what true love and courage really look like. What is more powerful and wonderful than that?
Love is really generous, it is also about being patient and being kind. It is also giving up things that you may wish to do, but simply cannot. It is having to put someone's needs before your own and having to rely on one another. Love encourages you to dig really deep when you are already exhausted.
Let us not forget that love, at its very best, is also on display here and this is felt so much more when we are laughing together, sharing memories, and creating new ones. It is also about being and feeling connected to one another (we have enjoyed doing a family quiz 'together' in lockdown, every Sunday evening).
Love is about just finding the strength to keep going each day, even when that may be painful, very depressing, or mentally a really big challenge. For our parents, life has become much more challenging in recent years, as dad is mostly bed-bound. This impacts on how they are able to live and what they can do day-to-day.
Our parents' love story is what has inspired us to take on this challenge. Our goal is to still run a 10K together, on what should have been the Asics 10k challenge day. Depending on the situation we may be physically together (fingers crossed), or running it independently.
If you are thinking of supporting the MS Trust in these difficult times, we would encourage you to do it! These uncertain times mean that you may need to be a bit more creative, so team up with a family member, or a friend and do a challenge ‘together’ remotely. Doing something which provides you with a goal is good for mental health and wellbeing, especially with another person. It may help you to feel more connected, and can also be more motivational, as you are accountable to another person - you are ‘in it together’.
The work of the MS Trust is so important to people with MS, their friends and families. We all need support at times and never more so in these difficult times when getting help and support can be a bit more challenging.
So we urge you to go ahead and think of something that you will enjoy doing that can raise some money and give you a new focus. Take some inspiration from the many initiatives that are going on and set yourself a new challenge."
If like Helen and Ian, you would like to take on your own challenge to support the MS Trust during lockdown, check out our fundraising pages to give you some inspiration. It is easy to set up a Just Giving page and start raising money from your very own home.
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