Jessica shares details of this great charity challenge being taken on by Liz Sims-O’Brien. Ed
A woman from the Isle of Wight will be cycling from London to Paris to help raise vital funds for the MS Society Tissue Bank.
Liz Sims-O’Brien is aiming to raise £1,500 in support of her sister-in-law and best friend who were both diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) two years ago.
300 mile cycle
The 41-year-old massage therapist, who lives in St Helens with her husband Mark, 43, and their two children, will be embarking on a 300-mile ride to Paris on 14 September.
She will tour through the Kent countryside across the Channel to the medieval towns of northern France, before cycling down the Champs-Élysées to the Eiffel Tower.
The MS Society has teamed up with Parkinson’s UK to host the London to Paris cycle ride in aid of the world-class Brain and Tissue Bank at Imperial College London. All the money Liz raises will help provide brain and tissue samples to researchers in the UK, and around the world, who are working towards new MS treatments and understanding what causes the conditions.
Invisible, unpredictable condition
Liz’s sister-in-law Charlotte, who’s 26, and best friend Gill, who’s 46, were both diagnosed with relapsing MS in 2014. She says that she knew nothing about MS at the time, but has since grown to understand how the condition impacts people’s lives:
“I had no idea what it means to live with an invisible condition, or just how unpredictable MS is. Gill used to be a chef, but she’s now unable to hold knifes or feel heat. It’s truly different for everyone; both Charlotte and Gill have good days as well as bad days. They’re both such strong women who take every day as it comes.”
Over 100,000 affected in the UK
More than 100,000 people live with MS in the UK – it’s really unpredictable and different for everyone.
People typically start experiencing symptoms in their 20s and 30s, which can include fatigue, vision problems or difficulties with walking.
Liz, her friends and family do an annual cake sale and other fundraisers to raise money for MS.
Passing on the baton
Her brother ran the London Marathon for the MS Society recently, and Liz says it’s as if he’s passing her the baton:
“It’s now my turn to do something great, and what better way than to carry on the tradition of doing something physical. I’m slightly nervous as I haven’t ridden a bike since I was little, but if I have to ride all the way to France at very back of the group, so be it!
“I want as many people as possible to understand the impact of MS, especially because it’s a condition you can’t always see.”
Summer training regime
She says she’s been training all summer, and that her friend Gill has been helping her overcome the Island’s hilly terrain:
“We’ve been doing practice runs together, which has been really motivating. I think Gill really appreciates what I’m doing for the MS community.
“She’s matching me mile for mile on her exercise bike, and together with my parents, brother and his girlfriend, will be meeting me at the finish line under the Eiffel Tower!”
Donations fund innovative research
Jeni Day from the MS Society said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to Liz for taking on such an exciting challenge for everyone affected by MS. Her generous donation will help fund innovative research happening at the Tissue Bank – research we’re driving to stop MS for good. We wish her the best of luck on her route from London to Paris!”
All the money raised will be going to the world-class Tissue Bank at Imperial College London – the largest MS-specific brain donor scheme in Europe. You can sponsor Liz on her Just Giving.
For advice, and information about MS and support, visit www.mssociety.org.uk or call the MS Society’s free helpline on 0808 800 8000.
