Sam’s 70k in 7 Days for MND
Thirteen-year-old Sam Johnson ran 70 kilometres in seven days to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association
He took inspiration from Kevin Sinfield’s ‘Ultra 7 in 7’ challenge and the recent passing of Scotland and British & Irish Lions forward Doddie Weir, whose My Name’5 Doddie Foundation works towards an MND-free world.
Sam took on a challenge of his own, running 10 kilometres every day for a week in December to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).
Sam said: “Seeing Kevin Sinfield on the TV doing his various challenges for his friend Rob Burrow was the first thing that inspired me. The friendship between them is unbelievable and it shows how sport can be such a positive influence on people's lives.”
Feeling inspired, Sam set about planning a challenge of his own. The passing of Scotland great Weir spurred him on and made his decision to support MNDA an easy one.
“It is a very cruel disease, and my love of rugby and sport has sadly shown that heroes on the sports field seem to suffer from this disease as well as people's parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters,” he said. “Following MNDA, Rob Burrow and Doddie Weir's stories online have made me realise how devastating this disease is.”
Sam completed his final 10 kilometre run on December 22, with online donations reaching well over £6,500. He received messages of support from the likes of George Ford, Lewis Ludlam, and Kevin Sinfield himself.
“To everyone who has donated and supported me, a massive thank you! I cannot believe a challenge I thought up in my kitchen watching Kevin Sinfield has raised so much for charity and people have been so generous, not only with their donations, but their time, support and help.
“I want to thank my school - Woodbridge School, Suffolk, for letting me use the school fields to run around and my teachers, and friends that ran with me and Woodbridge Rugby Union Football Club for all their support, publicity and letting me run around their pitches. The messages I have had from my heroes on the rugby pitch have been incredible.”
Sam already has his sights set on more fundraising challenges in the future and wants to continue to support MNDA in the fight against Motor Neurone Disease.
