Man signs up for 380-mile fundraising cycle-ride for Muscular Dystrophy UK

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Three men on canoes
Peter Gallagher, from Ipswich, will join the ride, cycling for 12-13 hours each day, between Great Ormond Street Hospital, the MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool and finally the Centre for Life in Newcastle.

Peter, 33, is joining a team of 17 cyclists from all over the UK, for Sam Taylor's Duchenne Research Relay (DRR.)

Sam (pictured above back left) is father to Will Taylor, 12, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 2014.

Peter (pictured above in front) is joining the latest initiative which will see the team ride between the UK's four neuromuscular centres between 12 and 14 August.

Sam Taylor and his network of family and friends has already raised over £100,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK in a series of gruelling challenges. Will himself is totally involved in organising, planning the events and travelling with the teams. 

Peter met Sam when they started working together ten years ago. He remembers how it felt when Sam told him of Will's diagnosis and he knew that nothing he could do or say would make any difference.

The whole family are amazing and a true inspiration in the way they have battled on. And although we now live 300-miles apart, taking part in these events is my way of saying I am supporting them.

Peter and his partner Jordan have one son and another on the way.

The baby is due on 18 August so I am just hoping it will not come early while we are cycling.

There is nothing I don't look forward to about these events. There's a nervousness about how hard the challenge will be, but I know the short-term discomfort you experience during the event is something which will also go away.

Susanne Driffield, MDUK Regional Development Manager said:

This will be Pete's fourth challenge for 'Where There's a Will There's a Way.' I can't thank him enough for being part of Sam's demanding challenges and for joining the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

if anyone would like to support the DRR with a ride taken at their own pace, they can sign up to the Virtual Duchenne Research Relay here

Peter's fundraising link is here.