stephen edginton
Saddle Sore www.saddlesore.org.uk
Fundraising for DEBRA
Story
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">Loz and myself are determined to raise £10,000 by cycling 875 miles from John 'O' Groats to Lands End in 7 days AND running the London Marathon the following day. We will be commencing on the 15th of April at John 'O' Groats, cycling up to 150 miles a day in order to reach Lands End by the evening of the 21st. We will then be travelling overnight to London for the marathon on the 22nd April.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">Quite sensibly, you may ask why!! We are embarking on this behemoth of a journey in order to raise much needed funds for one of the most worthy charities in the UK, Debra. They carry out research and offer support to families suffering from 'one of the worst diseases you've never heard of'; Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">EB is a genetic condition in which the skin and internal body linings blister at the slightest knock or rub, causing painful, open wounds.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">The whole body can be affected both internally and externally with wounds healing very slowly, giving rise to scarring, physical deformity and significant disability. Even the simplest of tasks such as eating, drinking and the disposal of bodily waste are incredibly painful. Malnutrition is often a consequence, further reducing the body's resistance to infection.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">People with severe types of EB also have an exceptionally high risk of developing skin cancers, shortening their lives by approximately 30-40 years. In its most severe form, the condition is fatal in infancy and as yet there is no effective treatment or cure.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">How can you help?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">£25 could pay for one hour of research to find a treatment for EB</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">£50 could fund two additional home visits, which is critical for those finding it difficult or impossible to travel</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">£100 could pay for an essential changing unit required during the frequent and lengthy dressing changes</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">£300 means a family could enjoy a week's holiday in one of DebRA's specially adapted holiday homes</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">£10,000 is a large amount of money to raise and we would love as many people to be a part of this journey as possible. We welcome not just your generous donations but any of your own fundraising ideas and precious time to help achieve our target. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">If you would like to find out more, please visit </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="http://www.debra.org.uk/index.php?page=publications">http://www.debra.org.uk/index.php?page=publications</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">Thank you in advance for your generous donation and please feel free to come along and cheer us on either on our way to Lands End or in London. We will be uploading our cycle route soon so watch this space!</span></p>