Join MD Support Centre as we race to Paris this September to raise vital funds for our life-changing work.
We’re calling on our community to join our team and help us cycle a combined total of 335 miles – the distance from London to Paris – over five days. While Donna, Lynn and Sarah take on the real-life route from London to Paris we’ll be racing them from our Coventry Centre. Can you help us race them?
About the Race to Paris challenge
The Race to Paris challenge takes place From Monday 8 to Friday 12 September at our Coventry Centre. We’ll be using our TheraTrainer bikes and a stationary cycle to work as a team to reach 335 miles. Take part by donating and/or raising sponsorship. There’s no minimum distance and no pressure – just join in, do what feels right for you, and help us raise vital funds for our work.
Our Race to Paris progress
Check back here at the end of each day to see how far we’ve ridden and how much we’ve raised.
Miles cycled
335/335
335
Funds raised
3166/3166
£3,000
There’s still time to sign up! Call our Reception team on 02476 100 770 to find out more.
Our free, ongoing specialist therapies help nearly 600 adults with muscular dystrophy manage their condition through physiotherapy, osteopathy, exercise classes, and more. We’re aiming to raise £2,000 to fund our specialist therapies and support services.
£100 buys an hour of specialist physical therapy
£50 pays for 30 minutes of supported sessions on specialist exercise equipment
£20 buys a wobble cushion, foam roller or gym ball
£10 enables us to purchase low-resistance hand weights
Download a branded Race to Paris picture to share on your social media to help spread the word!
The MD Support Centre provides specialist care, therapies, and unwavering support for those living with neuromuscular conditions. It’s not just a service, it’s a sanctuary of resilience, helping people maintain independence, mobility, and dignity. Every mile we ride is for the families who rely on this lifeline.
Donna
FAQs
Who can take part?
The challenge is open to our service users, staff, volunteers, family, friends, and carers. We have accessible TheraTrainer bikes that can be operated using hands or legs, and our Therapy Assistant will be on-hand to help people on and off the bikes. If you’re unsure whether the challenge is suitable for you, please speak to your treating therapist.
What is a TheraTrainer bike?
The TheraTrainer Tigo is a motor-assisted stationary cycling trainer for legs and upper body that can be accessed from a chair or wheelchair. It provides passive or active exercise for both arms and legs, tailored to individual needs and ability. It helps improve mobility by strengthening muscles, improving joint mobility, and promoting coordination and balance.
How long will I be expected to cycle for?
To help the event flow smoothly, we are booking people in for 30-minute slots. However, there is no expectation for you to cycle for 30 minutes – just do what you can according to your ability and the recommendation from your physiotherapist.
Ask your family and friends to sponsor you at bit.ly/RaceToParisDonate and to add a comment with your name to their donation to let us know who they have sponsored.
There is also a branded Race to Paris picture you can download above to share on your social media to help raise awareness. Alternatively, you can download a sponsorship form to print out at home.
One of our inspirational service users, Donna Scarrott, decided to take on an epic London to Paris cycling challenge. Motivated by her determination, Co-Lead Physiotherapist Lynn Ward and our former CEO Sarah-Ann Moore decided to join her. The in-Centre cycle challenge is our way of showing support to our inspirational riders, and introducing an element of friendly competition by seeing if we can reach 335 miles before they arrive in Paris.
We’re going to hold some social events throughout the week, so please do come along and join us.
On Monday, we’ll have coffee and croissants for our riders to start the week. Come and enjoy a tempting pastry before or after your ride.
We’re holding a bake sale on Tuesday, with some delicious treats on sale. If you’re in-Centre, treat yourself to a madeleine or a slice of homemade cake.
Finally, join us on Friday to round the week off with a French-themed coffee morning and raffle. We’ll have some great prizes up for grabs. Get your raffle tickets in-Centre or by calling our reception team. For details and timings, head to our events page.
If you can’t ride but want to support our riders, you can make a donation at bit.ly/RaceToParisDonate. Please leave a comment with your donation to let us know who you are sponsoring.
