James Chubb is no stranger to fundraising challenges and on Saturday 31 August, he and four friends set off on an 84-mile walk spanning the length of Hadrian’s Wall, from the coastal village of Bowness on Solway in Cumbria to Wallsend in North Tyneside. James explains his motivation for this coast-to-coast walking challenge.
Conquering Hadrian’s Wall for my daughter
Firstly, I’d like to thank my friends Harry Collison, Ed Abis, Henry Lucas and Chris Owen for agreeing to join me on this challenge. It was a brutal but memorable 31 hours and 84 miles, filled with beautiful scenery, laughter and unbelievable determination.
As with all the challenges we’ve taken on as The Chubb’s Crusade, we did this in support of my daughter, Josie, who lives with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy.
“It’s vital that we continue to generate much needed awareness and funds to help Muscular Dystrophy UK continue the research and support for all those living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions, including Josie.”
In July 2021, Josie was diagnosed with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. It took over two years of medical investigations to get a formal diagnosis and as a family, we want to help more people understand the condition while also fundraising to help fund research. My wife Charlotte and I knew nothing about muscular dystrophy before Josie’s diagnosis, but now we feel it’s our duty to raise awareness and promote understanding so that society can be more inclusive.
Josie’s condition means she can’t run, jump, climb stairs or transition from seated to standing, and everyday tasks are difficult without adult support. But she is a bright, fun-loving little girl who loves nature and being outdoors. Like most parents, the most important thing for Charlotte and I is for our children to grow up happy and we strive to do everything we can to enable Josie and her brother, Harry, to fulfil their dreams.
The world is not very accommodating for those living with a muscle wasting or weakening condition.
Everyday tasks are made significantly more difficult with the current infrastructure in cities, towns and villages. Charlotte and I want to raise awareness of Josie’s condition and the importance of research to find a treatment, but also feel it’s vitally important to make people understand that changes need to be made to enable a more inclusive life for those suffering with conditions like hers.
We don’t believe that offering the minimal disabled infrastructure is acceptable as people living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions will often struggle with things like non-touch sensitive soap dispensers and taps, for example. Vast improvements need to be made to allow independent living for all sections of society. For people like Josie. That’s why we’re proud to support Muscular Dystrophy UK and their constant campaigning for a better world for adults and children living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions.
This Hadrian’s Wall 84-mile coast-to-coast walk was the latest in a long list of fundraising challenges and added over £12,000 to our fundraising total. Thanks to the support of our family and friends, we’ve raised more than £60,000 through our family fund The Chubb’s Crusade with 80% going towards research into Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy and 20% to help support Josie’s future welfare needs.
I feel very proud and humbled by the support shown – the awareness and funds will make a difference to the work of Muscular Dystrophy UK and my daughter Josie’s needs. Thank you!
