Kenny Smith - Moving Mountains for the MS Trust

Kenny Smith has a place firmly lodged in the MS Trust fundraising hall of fame - for over 20 years he has run, trekked, cycled, climbed, quizzed, raffled and more for the MS Trust. He has raised over an incredible £200,000 in the process (although nearer to £250,000 when you include all of the things he has contributed to indirectly!). Throughout, his motivation has remained, to raise money in memory of his sister Kathleen, who passed away in 2014 following a long battle with multiple sclerosis. Kenny has decided it’s now time to spend some well-earned time with his family, so we catch up with him one last time to ask him about his incredible achievements over the years.

How did you first become aware of the work of the MS Trust?

I first became aware of the Multiple Sclerosis Trust in around the year 2000. My sister Kathleen had been diagnosed with MS around 10 years earlier. At that point, she was able to fundraise herself and did various challenges for different MS charities. She carried on with this until she was unable to safely continue. At that time, I’d already done various fundraising events for different charities and had even run a London Marathon. When Kathleen was no longer able to fundraise, I contacted the MS Trust directly and asked if I could fundraise for them on her behalf. I had a place for the 2005 London Marathon and wanted to run in aid of the MS Trust. I’d done some research on what the MS Trust does, and felt I really wanted to help this small charity. They were simply over the moon and told me that I was the first person to want to run for them with their own place!

I went on to run the London Marathon 10 times and I loved it! The support, the cheers and the scenery were always worth the pain! 

What was it that made you want to fundraise for us?

From the very start I was welcomed as a fundraiser. The appreciation I received for every single penny I raised made me want to keep on supporting the MS Trust. 

They do such important work, such as the information they provide to people living with MS and their families, plus they fund MS health professionals. Knowing that despite being a really small charity, the job they did in supporting people with MS was huge. I just had to help.

You’ve done so many different events over the years, can you tell us about some of the highlights?

Here is a list of most of the stuff I’ve done over my fundraising years, with almost all of them done for the Multiple Sclerosis Trust……

• 10 (25 mile) Royal Military Police Marches 
• 10 London Marathons, running the old and new course 
• Trekked across the Sahara desert
• Cycled from London to Paris three times, once on a road bike, once on a vintage 100 year old three speed bike and finally on a tandem
• Climbed Hatun Pastu in Peru
• Climbed the world’s highest free standing mountain Kilimanjaro. 
• Ran the Silverstone Half Marathon (Most boring run ever!)
• Completed the Goodwood Gallop
• Cycled from London to Amsterdam to Brussels 
• Did the Punchbowl 52-mile Marathon/Trek
• Set up the MS Woodshop
• Ran up and down Jacobs Ladder ten times non stop 
• Organised nine MS Circuit Challenges 
• Did the Reading half marathon 
• Jumped out of an aeroplane at 15,000 feet
• Ran the Chichester 10K 
• Walked around the Isle of Wight nonstop twice, once in Sandals! 
• Cycled London to Brighton three times 
• Cycled around the Isle of Wight three times
• Ran up and down Glastonbury Tor six times nonstop
• Camped out on the South Downs Way
• Climbed the Brecon Beacons
• Climbed all over Snowdon National Park 
• Trekked the Andes and Himalayan mountains 
• Trekked and led a team along Hadrian’s Wall walking from the east to the west coast of England. 
• Trekked the Grand Canyon
• Trekked the Inca Trail
• Cycled the Brighton 100 miler in five hours
• Trekked and led a team along the South Downs way over four days
• Trekked to Everest base camp
• Cycled 50 consecutive days around the UK
• Cycled from London to Bruges to Amsterdam 
• Organised two Freewheeler Pedal Challenges
• Completed the Three Peaks 
• Ran the Great North Run
• Organised and took part in a midnight pyjama walk
• Cycled the very first Ride London 100-mile cycle
• Walked the South Downs way nonstop night and day
• Done endless street collections, auctions, raffles, car boot sales and quiz nights
• And cycled, ran, trekked and climbed 1000s of endless miles in training. 

I started in Chichester I headed west to Lands’ end, up through Wales, back into England, over the River Mersey, up to Blackpool and along the Golden Mile, on to Scotland and along Loch Ness, up to John O’Groats then back along the east coast into England. On day 44, the hottest day on record, I made it to the headquarters of the MS Trust in Letchworth where my wife, daughters and granddaughter were there to greet me. Along with all the staff from the MS Trust. I got off my bike and jumped straight into the fountain in the grounds where the MS Trust are based! 

Five days later I was back in Chichester via a visit to my sister’s grave in the village of Boxgrove. Although I had 34 days of rain along the way, it was without doubt the greatest adventure I had done. 

What has been the most challenging event you’ve taken part in?

The most challenging event I’ve taken part in must be one of the ones at high altitude. It makes breathing so difficult. Trekking to Everest basecamp was very tough for me, the temperature got down to minus 29 and the terrain was very demanding. 

Climbing at high altitude is very hard to explain. If you can imagine walking as slow as possible, then imagine being completely out of breath at the same time. This would give you an idea. To drink from your bottle or hydration pack while walking was near impossible, it was like you had just sprinted a mile with every mouthful. But I kept focussed on the reason I was doing it and how I was helping those living with multiple sclerosis. Plus, the scenery was the most majestic I have ever scene. 

What are you most proud of?

What am I most proud of?? Well firstly I would say my wife, Sandra, for being so supportive through every adventure and every fundraising mission. 

And secondly, I guess it’s difficult to say, but the marathons, the treks, mountains and all the cycling are all something to be proud of.  I guess it must be being part of the Multiple Sclerosis Trust for so many years and seeing how they have grown. Also knowing I have made a huge difference to the lives of people living with MS.

What would you say to someone who was at the start of their fundraising journey?

The hardest part is actually signing up to do it, the rest just falls into place. Plan everything twice, train hard and never be afraid to ask for help and advice.

Fundraising can be difficult at times, you need to be persistent, cheeky and pushy. Don’t take no for an answer! Learn about the cause you are fundraising for and enjoy talking to others about what you’re doing and why. Get the message out there on social media, in the local papers and on local radio! 

And remember every penny raised is a penny towards helping those in need and no challenge is too small. But most of all ENJOY IT because it’s fun!

The MS Trust would like to say a huge thank you to Kenny and his family for the incredible dedication he has shown to helping improve the lives of people with MS over the last 20 years. His unbreakable commitment to fundraising has directly impacted the lives of so many people living with MS and for that we are incredibly grateful. 

If you are interested in fundraising yourself, check out our website for some inspiration and get in touch with the fundraising team at fundraising@mstrust.org.uk