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The DSA's Very Own Supermen
We are very lucky at the DSA to have such inspirational and dedicated fundraisers who will undertake the craziest challenges possible to raise money for us with the most incredible passion and commitment. One such fundraiser is parent member Johnnie Wraith who with 13 friends, family and colleagues, took on one of the biggest challenges EVER for the DSA!
“On the 8th April 2005, Max Wraith was born at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. Shortly afterwards, it was confirmed that he had Down's syndrome. Over the intervening years, Max's family and friends have learnt to live with the condition, experiencing both the unique joy and love that Max inspires in us, and also coping with some of the harder emotions and realities that disability inevitably involves.
Every step of the way, the DSA has been there to support and advise us, and their work in helping people with Down's syndrome enjoy everything life has to offer the rest of us, ensuring they are accorded their rightful respect and consideration, and helping fund the research which has transformed their quality of life, is an inspiration. To help ensure this valuable charity can continue its work, we decided to run 67 miles, cycle 186 miles, and canoe 6 miles in 36 hours
The weekend of the 12th and 13th June saw our intrepid team of 13 successfully manage to run, cycle and canoe the 260 mile route from Portland Bill in Dorset to Teddington in just 36 hours...!
We shared an incredible experience from the minute we set off from Portland Bill in bright early morning sunshine on Saturday until our arrival in the rain at the Down’s Syndrome Association HQ late on Sunday afternoon where we were greeted by relieved family and friends.
Along the way, we ran in the sunshine down the length of Chesil Beach, staggered up and down the rollercoaster coastal path through Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, cycled through the New Forest and, in pitch darkness over the South Downs, and canoed six miles across Poole Harbour.
Two members of the team got lost in the New Forest, two others would probably still be out there now were it not for a friendly farmer pointing the way, and six men nearly sank when driving hail came down in the middle of the canoeing leg. And yet, despite all of this, countless blisters, slipping bike chains, and all manner of other aches and pains we managed to keep going and complete the Challenge on time. In the process, to our amazement and the DSA’s absolute delight, we have managed to raise over £46,000 for this wonderful cause.
We want to thank everyone who has donated with all our hearts, both on behalf of the whole team whose motivation was hardened by the knowledge of the amount of money being raised. “
We in turn would like to thank everybody involved in Johnnie’s Challenge but especially the very special 13 supermen who took on one of the toughest challenges we have ever seen.