A Green Hammerton man with motor neurone disease is set to take on a 100-mile trek in his wheelchair in aid of charity for a third time.
Ian Flatt, 57, was diagnosed with the condition in 2019 and has already taken on the challenge twice two years ago.
He is raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal, which is hoping to build the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The challenge will see Ian start in Pateley Bridge today before travelling through Bolton Abbey, to Pen-Y-Ghent, and finishing at the highest pub in England, The Tan Hill Inn in Swaledale on Sunday (July 16).
Ahead of his trek, Ian said:
“I feel incredibly passionate about the MND community and the beacon of hope that the Rob Burrow MND Centre has become. I’m also acutely aware that sometimes we face difficult challenges with this condition and in life in general.
“I’d just like to think that our adventures bring a smile to people’s faces alongside raising funds and awareness. Perhaps it will inspire somebody to set aside their worries, to live in the moment and find reasons to laugh.”
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As part of his previous fundraising efforts, Ian has raised more than £35,000 for both of his chosen charities.
Leeds Hospitals Charity launched their appeal for a new centre tailored to the needs for people living with MND and their families in 2019, which has now raised £4.5 million of its £6.8 million fundraising target.
Ian pictured on one of his previous 100-mile trek challenges.
Esther Wakeman, chief executive at Leeds Hospitals Charity, said:
“I am humbled by the commitment Ian has to raise funds for his fellow patients with motor neurone disease.
“Ian and his wife, Rachael, have been fundraising since we announced our Rob Burrow Centre for MND appeal back in September 2021 and I have been heartened by their resilience and positive attitude.”
Angus O’Donnell, regional fundraiser for MND Association said:
Terminally ill man takes on 100-mile trek in wheelchair“The work he has done in his local community, to help raise awareness of MND is huge.
“Without his efforts the MND Association simply would not be able to fund vital research to find a cure in order to achieve our vision – a world free from MND and we cannot thank him enough.”
A Green Hammerton man with motor neurone disease is to embark on a 100-mile trek in aid of a Leeds hospital charity.
Ian Flatt, 56, was diagnosed with the disease two years ago and is to take on the challenge despite needing a respirator for 16 hours a day.
He is fundraising for a Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal to raise £5 million to build the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds.
Ian will complete the 100-mile challenge in a series of 18 walks, which include some of his favourite trails around the Hole of Horcum, Rievaulx Moor, Thixendale and finishing with a trek around the dramatic Sutton Bank escarpment.
He said:
“I was inspired to take on another 100-mile challenge to support this important appeal, spearheaded by Rob and his family.
“Such a facility would make a vital difference to people like me and our loved ones. A bespoke care centre that meets the needs of MND sufferers and their families is so needed as MND is such a cruel disease.”
Ian, who has already completed a 100-mile trek with his family this year, was diagnosed with MND in March 2019.
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Speaking to the Stray Ferret in May ahead of his fundraising for Saint Michael’s Hospice, he said news of his diagnosis took its toll on his family at first.
However, despite being told not to plan beyond Christmas that year, he was determined not to let his condition stop him being in the great outdoors.
With the help of Saint Michael’s, he got an off-road wheelchair that allows him to continue enjoying walks with his family.
‘My sense of adventure remains intact’
Now, with the support of his wife Racheal and their two daughters, he began his latest trek yesterday.
He said:
“Motor neurone disease is a disease for which there is no treatment or cure, with 50% of sufferers sadly dying within the first two years of diagnosis.
“Thanks to the critical help, compassion, expertise and kindness provided by the specialist MND team in Leeds, my family and I have maintained our sense of fun, and our wonderful ability to laugh with each other.
“Whilst my mobility, dexterity and respiratory functions are failing, my sense of adventure remains intact.”
You can donate to Ian’s fundraising effort for the Leeds Hospital Charity appeal here.