Berkhamsted man's walk raises over £5,000 for Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre

A man from Berkhamsted with multiple sclerosis raised over £5,000 for The Chilterns MS Centre when he completed his challenge to walk for one hour.

During lockdown, Patrick Burke, a member of the Chilterns MS Centre, decided to set himself a very tough challenge to help keep himself active and raise money to help others with multiple sclerosis (MS).

He decided to walk for one hour using his rollator, and set himself a large fundraising target.

MS affects messages from the brain going to his legs, meaning Patrick has chronic muscle fatigue and poor balance which make walking extremely difficult.

Despite this, he completed training most days and managed to walk for the full hour.

Although he was incredibly tired afterwards, he said: “I am thrilled that I have proved to myself that I can walk for an hour.

"Way back in June when I started practising I could only manage 15 minutes so this really has been a big personal achievement and it is something I will remember for a long time.

"Equally pleasing is the amount I raised for the Chilterns MS Centre, over £5000, this far exceeded my expectations.

"I would also like to thank Amy, Sharon and Lou from the Centre who helped me on the day.

"I did ache the next morning but everything was for a very worthwhile cause.”

The money he raised will help fund some of the many therapies and support that the centre in Wendover, provides.

Sharon Cooper, head of fundraising at the centre, said: "We appreciate everyone who takes on a fundraising activity in support of the Chilterns MS Centre, but its extra special when someone like Patrick takes on a physical challenge.

"He took on his almighty challenge of walking for one hour, something he has never been able to achieve until today.

"To see him power through, with grit and determination, was incredibly inspiring.

"He has raised over £5,000 for his walk; this will help us to continue providing expert therapies and support for people like Patrick, whether through physiotherapy to ensure he keeps mobile for as long as possible, or occupational therapy to help him adapt how he does things to remain independent.

"We’re very grateful to Patrick, his family and friends for their generosity at this challenging time. It was a privilege to be there with you.”

Patrick's challenge forms part of the centre's latest fundraising campaign - Challenge 35 – as part of their 35th birthday celebrations.

The charity, based in Wendover, as been supporting people affected by MS since 1985, this month they are challenging people to do something to raise money for the centre.

Challenges could be anything, but ideally centred around the number 35.

You can find out more at the Challenge 35 website – challenge.chilternsmscentre.org.

Patrick's JustGiving page is still open, to make a donation, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/walk4onehour.