North Curry football fan Dr Sally Whittet has raised more than £7,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK after cycling the 220 miles from Old Trafford to Stamford Bridge in memory of her godson.
Sally, 65, took on the five-day challenge in honour of Jonathan Holden, who had Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Sally chose to cycle between the two Premier League clubs, as Jonathan, 28, was an avid Manchester United fan, while she is a long-time Chelsea supporter.
Setting off on Sunday 21 October, Sally arrived in London ahead of Chelsea’s Europa League clash on Thursday 25 October. She was waved off by United legend and former Ireland international Denis Irwin, and greeted by former Chelsea star and Scotland winger Pat Nevin.
Sally is now on course to raise £10,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK, which could fund two months of pioneering research into the causes of and treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Dr Sally Whittet said:
“This cycle ride was my tribute to Jonathan; it won’t bring him back, but the money I have raised could help others in the future. I hope that one day, there will be a way to prevent and treat this condition.
“Give or take a few navigational errors, the ride went really well. I met some great people along the way, and everyone at Manchester United and Chelsea was so welcoming.”
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a serious muscle-wasting condition which usually affects boys. About 100 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are born in the UK each year and there are about 2,500 boys and young men living with the condition. There is currently no cure.
Debbie Hoods, Donor Relations Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said:
“Everyone at Muscular Dystrophy UK is in awe of Sally’s incredible achievement, and we would like to thank her for raising such an amazing amount of money for the charity in Jonathan’s memory. £10,000 will go a long way towards funding ground-breaking research into the condition.”
You can sponsor Sally at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sally-whittet1, and find out more about Muscular Dystrophy UK at: www.musculardystrophyuk.org
ENDS
For more information about the work of Muscular Dystrophy UK, please contact Laura Burge, Muscular Dystrophy UK, on: 020 7803 2870 or: l.burge@musculardystrophyuk.org
