A PAIR ran 200kilometres across the South West Coastal Path last month to raise money for charity.
PE teacher Tom Morison and his friend, Downtown Abbey and Outlander actor Ed Speleers, have raised more than £25,000 for The National Brain Appeal.
They took up the challenge after Tom’s father was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia called logopenic progressive aphasia (LPA).
Tom’s parents, Oliver and Judy Morison, are retired teachers who live in Castle Cary.
The family noticed changes in Oliver around his 70th birthday when he would lose his keys and wallet and found it hard to recall words.
He was diagnosed with dementia, but the family knew it was more than this and so they made contact with Rare Dementia Support, a service funded by The National Brain Appeal charity.
They helped diagnose Oliver with LPA, which includes undiagnosed mini strokes.
And so Tom and Ed decided to take on the South West Coastal Path challenge to raise funds during May 29 and 30.
“I’m really not sure that Ed and I have the words to describe the experience, but I do know that it was one of the most challenging, emotional, and life-affirming moments of our lives,” said Tom.
“We had the most incredible weather and following the awful month or two of rain and cold leading up to the weekend, it really did feel like everything was aligning for our cause.
“However, our rolling start across open, flat hilltops was quickly forgotten as Cornwall’s rugged coastline did its best to break us.
“The harsh paths are unrelenting and never allowed us to get into a rhythm; soon the beautiful views of the quiet coves below were greeted with trepidation in the knowledge that it meant a knee-busting decent followed by a lung-busting climb.”
The terrain meant the pair had to make up time and so only had the occasional 20-minute lie down to recover.
But despite the lack of sleep, the pair completed their 200km challenge.
Ed added: “We have spent this week trying to comprehend our achievement, not least the individual challenge, but the love and support that has been shown by so many people towards Tom’s father’s story
“It has been a pleasure to support The National Brain Appeal’s Rare Dementia Support who have been so helpful to Tom’s family.”
The National Brain Appeal is currently fundraising to create the world’s first Rare Dementia Support Centre.
Alexis Gebbie, senior fundraising officer at The National Brain Appeal, said: “Everyone at The National Brain Appeal is in awe of Tom and Ed.
“I cannot even comprehend covering 200 kilometres in a weekend, let alone on a hilly coastal path! It is a truly remarkable achievement.
“They have raised an incredible £25,000, including Gift Aid, and that will go towards the creation of the world’s first Rare Dementia Support Centre.
“We are so grateful, not only to Tom, Ed and all of their support team, but also to everyone who has donated.”
To support Tom and Ed’s fundraising appeal, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/tom-morison
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here