Fighting for James, Joshua and Myles: Mum takes on Pedal Paddle Peak challenge for sons

On Saturday 6 July, Liz Keenan and three friends took on the Pedal Paddle Peak challenge in the Lake District in support of Liz’s three sons, James, Joshua and Myles, who live with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

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Fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK is something that my husband Sean and I, and the rest of the family, have been involved in for almost a decade, following our eldest son James’s diagnosis. Between us, we’ve done everything from skydiving and zip wire challenges to running the Oxford 10k and London Marathon. Pedal Paddle Peak is the latest in a long list of challenges to raise money for a cause close to our heart.

James was seven when we noticed changes

In December 2013, when James was seven, we noticed changes to his core strength. Doctors initially put this down to him being a slow developer, but when he began struggling to get up from the floor and had significant muscle weakness, he was sent to have blood tests.

That same evening, we received a phone call to report high Creatine Kinase levels and, after meeting with a consultant, we learnt that James had Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Shortly after, I gave birth to twin boys, Joshua and Myles, who also have the condition. Now 17 and 10 respectively, James, Joshua and Myles live with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and with the help of family, friends and colleagues, we’ve raised over £100,000 through our Muscular Dystrophy UK family fund, ‘I Fight for James’.

For the Pedal Paddle Peak Lake District challenge, I was joined by my good friend Becky, who I’ve known since the twins started school with her youngest son. Becky’s dad Stuart, and her friend Sue made up our team of four to take on the 30-mile cycle, two-mile canoe paddle and climb to the peak of Helvellyn mountain.

It was worth every ache and pain

We knew that the challenge was going to be tough, but we banded together to support a cause close to our hearts. It was worth every ache and pain as that’s nothing compared to what those living with Muscular Dystrophy go through every day and we wanted to do our best to do them all proud! I took the boys with me in my heart on the day as I was doing this for them.

I was excited and nervous in the run-up to the event, but it was a positive experience for many reasons. Of course, the fundraising, but it really was a fantastic weekend all round – super well organised, great weather apart from one downpour and amazing team spirits. I fell in love with the Lake District and am planning to continue with cycling.

Helping us as a family but also thousands of others

I’m so grateful to Becky, Stuart and Sue for joining me and taking on this challenge for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Support like this not only helps James, Joshua, Myles and us as a family, but also the thousands of others across the UK who are living with muscular dystrophy.

Thanks to people’s generous support, we raised £4,220 by taking part in Pedal Paddle Peak, which takes our family’s fundraising total to over £100,000!