A NURSE from Redditch is celebrating after helping raise £11,000 to help adults with muscular dystrophy.
Donna Scarrott cycled 335 miles in four days to raise cash for Coventry-based Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre.
The funds will directly benefit ongoing specialist therapies, equipment, and wellbeing services for people in the Midlands living with the condition.
Together with Lynn Ward, co-lead physiotherapist, and Sarah Ann Moore, the charity’s former CEO, Donna battled wind, rain, hail and thunder, before completing the journey beneath the Eiffel Tower.
Donna said: “This cause is deeply personal to me.
“As someone living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), I rely on the centre’s physiotherapy and osteopathy services to stay strong, mobile, and independent for longer.
“Their expert team makes a real difference in my life and in the lives of so many others facing the challenges of muscular dystrophy.
“This fundraising challenge helps ensure people like me continue to receive essential care, guidance, and support, enabling us to live with greater strength, confidence and dignity.”
While Donna covered the distance in real life, service users, volunteers, family members and friends took part in a parallel ‘Race to Paris’ at the charity’s centre, cycling a collective 335 miles.
Muscular dystrophy is a progressive muscle-wasting condition that can cause pain, fatigue, stiffness and loss of mobility.
For many participants, cycling just a few miles was a huge personal achievement.
A spokesperson for the charity added: “The Race to Paris showcased not only the extraordinary achievements of Donna, Lynn, and Sarah, but also the power of our community coming together to make a real difference for people living with muscular dystrophy.”
With £5,000 raised by Lynn and £1,000 from an anonymous donor, the total funds will support MD Support Centre in continuing its vital work.
The centre is one of only two charities nationwide providing lifelong physical therapies to help adults with progressive muscle-wasting conditions maintain their wellbeing, independence and optimum mobility.
To help the MD Support Centre and people with muscular dystrophy maintain their wellbeing and independence, visit: mdsupportcentre.org to donate, volunteer or find out more.
