Ashley's Story - The Shortest Walk

WTDF Ashley Morgan Shortest Walk 2I knew the chances of getting my friends to walk 20 miles for charity were slim to nil, but I was more than confident I could get them to turn up at the pub!

I decided to keep it short and simple. I wanted to do something for Walk to d’feet* MND, so I told my partner Colin I was going to walk round the corner to our local pub.

His immediate response was: “You can’t do that, you’ll hurt yourself!”

That sealed it. I was even more determined than ever! I was tired of hearing about what I couldn’t do any more.

I used to walk round to the pub without a second thought. It probably took me two or three minutes.

Being diagnosed with MND in 2003 changed all that.

Walking the 225 yards from my home to the Prince Alfred pub was going to be a real challenge - and my friends and family would have to pay for it!

I told them all I wasn’t asking them to walk miles, just sponsor me to walk 225 yards to the pub instead.

As it happened, they were happy to pay for the privilege of not having to walk a marathon, and their generosity helped me raise a mammoth £5,200!

WTDF Ashley Morgan Shortest WalkIt was such a fantastic day!

Loads of friends and neighbours turned out to walk along with me and cheer me on. One person even carried along a garden chair for me to sit in when I needed a rest. Another neighbour set up a `pit-stop` at the bottom of their drive with a glass of wine for the intrepid walker. We had live music and a BBQ at the pub as part of the festivities, and a raffle and competition to guess my finishing time added to the fundraising activities. I had hoped to raise maybe £500, so the outpouring of support from so many people, and the final total raised were just overwhelming!

THE CHALLENGE

It was a once-only event that I won’t be able to repeat. Now it’s over to you!

I’m challenging anyone out there with MND, who can still just about walk, to do their own `Shortest Walk` and try to raise more money than I did.


For further Information

If you have any questions please get in touch:

Trudi Willis (community & events fundraiser)
Tel: 01604 611634
Email: trudi.willis@mndassociation.org