Please find below a report from Lynn Pritchatt regarding the Walkathon for MND challenge. Summit Garage and the league would like to congratulate Lynn and her team on completing this difficult and emotional challenge. There are some pictures of the groups at the bottom of this report.
WALKATHON FOR MND 14 COUNTIES IN 14 DAYS CHALLENGE
Where do I start with the magnificent people who make up our Crown Green Bowling community?
Back in November last year, I sat watching Kevin Sinfield OBE embark on his ‘Extra Mile’ challenge in honour of his best mate Rob Burrow MBE. Up until that time, I had not been able to watch any of the BBC Breakfast coverage as seeing the progression of Rob’s illness was too raw. In all honesty it still is. I watched completely and utterly inspired, through tear stained eyes, by what Kev was doing to raise awareness and vitally needed research funds for MND. I asked myself ‘what could I do to play my small part and how could I engage with my sport’. To be honest it did not take long before I started to firm up ideas in my mind. My brain was filled with ideas about how I could engage with all the Counties and boom – Walkathon for MND 14 Counties in 14 Days was born.
At that stage I did not know if the idea was any good, if it was going to go anywhere, if anyone would be interested and if indeed it was simply a barmy idea! Well we know the latter is true don’t we!!!!
The support received from the bowling community has been, and continues to be, staggering.
It was indeed the type of challenge that could not be undertaken alone. However, as the weeks went by, it became apparent that we had the nugget of what could be something very special. The weeks of planning were not without their challenges but every step of the way you have all been a tower of strength and propped me up when I needed it. That support will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I would like to extend sincere thanks to everyone who has played their part. This includes the County Co-ordinators who have worked tirelessly by my side during the past 10 months, the host clubs for putting on a wide variety of fundraising activities, friends who opened up their homes to us so very generously, other bowling clubs we visited along the way, family and friends who joined us for the day walks when we were in their local area, every single person who has donated hard earned money to the cause and to everyone who posted messages of support each day. We tried our utmost to read and respond to every single message received and no sooner we responded to a batch, more followed!
Whilst I have communicated with members of the core team privately, it would be remiss of me to not acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Steve Clamp, Mark Picknell, Alexis Lunn-Gadd, Steve Cook and each nominated County Co-ordinator. Each individual brought their own unique skills and qualities to the challenge and it would not have been the success it has been without each and every one of them.
As we all know, I had a vision that the challenge would fulfil three objectives: –
• Raise awareness of MND
• Raise vitally needed research funds to support the current research projects
• Promote and raise awareness of our great sport of Crown Green Bowls.
I would say, without a shadow of a doubt, we have collectively achieved the above and indeed have far exceeded any expectations I had. We have also made links with the Rugby community through our two fabulous guest walkers from the world of Rugby, David Merrick and Martyn Clarke, in addition to enjoying the company of the mighty Kevin Sinfield OBE.
The coming weeks will be busy finalising the total funds raised, making further attempts to engage with the media and generally undertaking all post-project actions. Please bear with us as we gather the remaining funds pledged. I will of course announce the total funds raised as soon as I can, along with details of the research project chosen for funding by our Foundation Trustees.
We not only executed the challenge in an exemplary manner but it is nothing short of a minor miracle given we do not have the benefits of having professional facilities behind us. From the start to the end, this challenge was planned, organised and led by us all. You did yourselves, your clubs, your Counties, our sport and Mel very proud indeed. See below a message received today from Kevin Sinfield OBE:-
Hi Lynn,
Great to hear from you…
Huge congratulations… Brilliant…
Enjoy the glow…
Take care, rest up and speak soon
Kev
I do believe this is the start of something special and the spin-offs from the last two weeks could be on another level. More on that in the coming weeks.
For now, we will take stock, rest up and quietly get on with the remaining jobs behind the scenes until we can close this challenge down and resign it to the history books.
We can then move onto the next one………………………………….
From both Mel and myself, thank you.
