Family, friends and supporters of Bob Gledhill, from Carmarthen, have raised almost £65,000 for research into Motor Neurone Disease, following an extreme sports challenge held earlier this month.
Fundraisers took on the Motoron Cymru challenge, which involved climbing the Welsh Three Peaks, Yr Wyddfa, Cader Idris and Pen y Fan, cycling between each one – all over just three days.
Bob Gledhill, 52, his wife, Dr Lowri Davies, and son, Will, 16, who live in Rhyd-ar-gaeau, near Carmarthen, launched the challenge after Bob was diagnosed with MND, a life-shortening illness, last autumn.
Money raised will go towards the ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’, set up by former Scottish rugby international, Doddie Weir, to fund research into cures for MND, and to the multi-faith hospice at Skanda Vale, near Llandysul.
Some 200 people took part in the Motoron Cymru challenge, helping Bob beat his original fundraising target of £10,000.
Bob, Lowri and Will are already planning a second challenge, to cycle from Yr Wyddfa to Edinburgh during August, to present the funds in person to the ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’, which is based there.
Bob Gledhill says, “Planning and training for the Motoron Cymru Three Peaks challenge has been a brilliant way to stay active and positive in the face of this devastating diagnosis.
“We had a great weekend, with so many friends and family taking part. The weather was mostly kind and we had lots of support along the way. I’m delighted we’ve been able to raise all this money to help fund research into a cure for MND.”
As well as raising money, it has also been important to Bob to raise awareness of the need for improved access to specialist care for MND patients in Wales.
Bob adds, “There are currently no specialist centres or MND clinical trials taking place in Wales, which is not the case in England and Scotland. This would make a massive difference to MND patients in Wales and I will continue to campaign for this. Helping others, and improving the situation for MND patients in the future, is very important to me.”
