We all love a good challenge. Our Kiss Goodbye to MS supporter Mark took on a huge challenge to raise funds for life-changing MS research. Mark made a commitment to run 14.1km each day for 100 days in support of his sister in-law Kym, who was diagnosed with MS in 2018. Kym’s diagnosis came as a massive shock to Mark.
“I had of course heard of the disease, but had never known anyone with MS. It struck me as particularly cruel because she was only in her early 30’s,” he recalls.
Ever since then, Mark and his partner Amy have shown their support for Amy’s sister Kym, and the other 25,600 Australians living with MS by raising funds for all facets of MS through various events over the years. This year, Mark set himself his own ambitious fundraising challenge for vital MS research.
He drew inspiration from his home country in the UK and the ‘Land’s End to John O’Groats’ route – popular with runners, walkers and cyclists, and famous for its length being the distance between the two most distant points on the British mainland in the southwest and northeast. By road, the route is 1,410kms long, so Mark came up with the magical equation of completing 14.1km each day for 100 days to create his own Aussie version of ‘Land’s End to John O’Groats’.
Mark says that the combination of having no breaks for 100 days combined with the cold, and most recently snowy, Canberra mornings were challenging both mentally and physically. However, thanks to the encouragement and motivation from his partner Amy, his sister in-law Kym and a few of Mark’s best friends who joined him on some runs, he remained committed to not give up.
Mark and his incredible determination raised $4,262 for life-changing MS research to help accelerate discoveries into the prevention, better treatments and a cure for MS.
“Honestly I just want MS gone – it’s as simple as that. I will keep raising what I can for MS research, so our researchers can find a cure for people like Kym.”
We are so appreciative of people like Mark and his generous sponsors, who are passionate about improving the quality of life and changing the future for people living with MS for the better.
MS predominantly affects young women, like Kym, with three out of four people diagnosed being female. The average age of diagnosis is between just 20–40 years old meaning MS often hits in the prime of people’s lives. At MS Research Australia, we are committed to raising funds for life-changing MS research until one day we can Kiss Goodbye to MS once and for all.
Need some inspiration? Here are a few virtual ideas for your next DIY fundraiser:
Cooking Class
If you were cooking up a storm during lockdown, why not put your culinary skills to good use and host a virtual cooking class for your friends? A small donation can count as the entry fee to your exclusive event.
Wear red lipstick for a month
It makes sense that this is one on the list, don’t you think? Bring a pop of colour into your day and wear your favourite red lippy every day for a month! Ask your friends to sponsor you and take some selfies with the #KissGoodbyeToMS hashtag along the way.
Trivia night
Bring back some friendly competition to your Friday nights! Gather groups of two, set up a Zoom meeting and get playing! Charge a small entry fee for the entertainment and encourage donations throughout the night. You could even add a theme, encourage your friends to dress up and give an award for ‘best dressed’!
To register your own fundraiser for life-changing MS research, please head to the Kiss Goodbye to MS website. For more ideas, take a look at our virtual fundraising ideas or get in touch with the Kiss Goodbye to MS team at kgtms@msra.org.au to get your fundraiser off the ground.
