Join our online forum
Call our helpline 0800 652 6352
About muscle-wasting conditions
Get the right care and support
Progress in research
Campaign for independent living
Home > News, stories and blogs
365 days of running for Muscular Dystrophy UK
Simon Blunden, an architect from Kendal, is embarking on his 11th ascent to the summit of Mount Everest during his final month of running every day in 2018.
Simon is raising funds and awareness for Muscular Dystrophy UK to support the son of a close friend, Greg Savage, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 2015.
The final month of Simon's exhausting journey will add to an existing 2,580 miles of running since the start of the year. If Simon had set off from his home in Kendal and run south, he would now be standing in the middle of the Western Sahara.
Kendal's landscape has not made his feat any easier. With some of the Lake District's most stunning hills to climb, Simon has already accumulated over 96,669m in elevation gain, enough to climb the world's highest mountain no less than 10 times.
Having consistently sat at the top of Muscular Dystrophy UK's Strava running leaderboards throughout the year, Simon reflects fondly on the friendships and connections it has allowed him to make.
"One of my biggest highlights this year has been getting out and running with friends old and new. Completing the Keswick to Kendal Ultra on day 209 in July was a particularly special moment. It was my first ultra in the form of a 34 mile route in as straight a line as possible from Keswick to Kendal. The route incorporated nearly 9,000 feet of climbing and there was quite a lot of weather about too. To have achieved it with Greg's dad, Martin, along with our close friends Erik and Matt really brought home the focus of this challenge."
Simon had originally set out to complete the RED (Run Every Day) January challenge but found himself running well into February and remarkably, despite the blistery cold spring, enjoying every minute.
"I was running my usual Saturday Kendal round route, a 17-mile loop of the skyline visible from the town, when I came up with the idea to continue all year and make a difference in the process. I've known Greg's parents, Martin and Gill, for 10 years and finding out about Greg's diagnosis was a huge setback for them. RED4Greg has been a perfect way to help raise awareness of this rare condition and hopefully raise more money to fund the research for a cure.
Having been joined for a shorter run on day 130 by local MP and member of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Muscular Dystrophy, Tim Farron, Simon has been welcoming friends, family and fellow Muscular Dystrophy UK supporters to join in his challenge. His 412 hours of running has inspired similar efforts across the country and will be a collection of records for others to beat.
Simon's last mile of running will perhaps be the most significant. On New Year's Eve, at his family's annual holiday spot in Anglesey, North Wales, Simon will be joined by Greg and his family, friends and local residents for a fitting end to running every day in 2018.
If you are inspired by Simon's RED4Greg challenge, register to #MoveYourWay in 2019. Your support means we can continue to make every day count for people living with a muscle-wasting condition.
If you would like to find out more about Simon's RED4Greg challenge you can read his blog on Facebook or visit his Strava profile here.
If you would like to support Simon with a donation or join in with his challenge, visit his Just Giving campaign here.
In this section: News, stories and blogs
Trailblazers news
Care & support news
Fundraising news
Breaking news in research
Key spokespeople
News, stories and blogs
Shop terms of use
We've created alert cards for 16 different #neuromuscular conditions to help you ensure that health professionals a… https://t.co/odaOq355Md
RT @ActionDuchenne: Recently Neil & Tina were welcomed to meet with Kate Adcock @MDUK_News to discuss our co-funded UNITE-DMD project - a v…
Live Facebook feed
Muscular Dystrophy UK
This year we are celebrating our 10th annual Celebrity Sports Quiz at Lord's Cricket Ground on Wednesday 20 May. To mark this momentous occasion we are offering an early bird price for a limited time only! Make sure you don't miss out on the chance to meet your sporting heroes all whilst raising vital funds for those living with a muscle-wasting condition.
Book your spot now >> http://bit.ly/2ulP4FW ... See MoreSee Less
"If I hadn't got PIP, I truly believe that life would be very negative and my condition would deteriorate much faster. Getting PIP means having my car, which gives me freedom and the ability to make a limited situation easier."
Tiffany was born with malignant hyperthermia and central core disease. She got in touch with MDUK in 2018, to seek help with her first assessment for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), and after four months, Tiffany's claim was successful.
If you or someone you know needs help claiming PIP, we're here to help. Read Tiffany's story and find out more >> http://bit.ly/37eradL ... See MoreSee Less
© 2015 Muscular Dystrophy UK Registered Charity No. 205395 Scottish Registered Charity No. SC039445
This website uses cookies to give you the best, most relevant experience. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. You can read more in our cookie policy.