Tuesday, 18 June 2019

• Kenny will be cycling 2,655 miles around mainland Britain to support those living with MS.
• National TV presenter Davina McCall and platinum-selling artist Tom Odell are the latest celebrities to provide support.
• Last April, the MS Trust found exercise helped reduce fatigue for people living with MS.

Renowned charity fundraiser Kenny Smith is getting back in the saddle this summer as he cycles around the UK for 50 consecutive days to raise money for the MS Trust to celebrate what would have been his sister Kathleen’s 50th birthday.

Kenny will be cycling 2,655 miles around mainland Britain, starting in the centre of Chichester on 12 June and finishing on Kathleen’s 50th Birthday on 31 July, back in Chichester. On his journey, Kenny will be hoping to gather additional support after receiving backing from TV presenter Davina McCall, platinum-selling artist Tom Odell and Golden Globe nominated actor James Nesbitt.

Kenny is riding solo, unsupported and carrying everything he needs for the 50-day ride.

“My sister Kathleen was diagnosed with MS back in in 1990, aged just 21,” says Kenny. “She coped well for many years living with MS and never let it get her down; she was always smiling and never complained.”

Sadly Kathleen passed away in the autumn of 2014. Kenny and his family were heartbroken, but he vowed to keep her name alive through fundraising for the MS Trust. Over the years Kenny has taken on all manner of incredible feats for the charity. From running marathons to climbing Everest and Kilimanjaro; jumping out of planes to holding collections, cake stalls and boot sales.

This bike ride, Kenny says, is “the big one”.

“This is the biggest challenge I have ever undertaken physically, emotionally and mentally. I’m living and breathing this ride every minute of every day,” Kenny says. “I wanted to take this on because the MS Trust is a fantastic charity that really goes above and beyond to help those living with and those affected by MS. It’s a relatively small UK charity doing a massive job, and I’ve witnessed first-hand the difference they make for not only those living with MS, but also the help, advice and support they give to families too.”

Kelly Boston, community fundraiser at the MS Trust, added: “We are so grateful to Kenny for taking on such an incredible challenge in aid of the MS Trust. He’s a true hero and the money raised will make such a difference for people living with MS today. We know his sister Kathleen would have been very proud.”

To find out more about Kenny’s challenge and how you can support it, please visit: 50dayscycleride.uk

To find out more about the MS Trust and how you can support the charity, please visit: mstrust.org.uk

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NOTES TO EDITORs

High res images of Kenny, Kenny's route and interview opportunities are available on request. Please contact Thomas on Thomas@kincomms.com, Amy on Amy@kincomms.com or call 0203 958 7175.

About MS
Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. It is a lifelong condition, usually diagnosed in people in their 20s and 30s, and can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including eyesight problems, fatigue, balance problems, altered sensations and cognitive issues. Around 110,000 people in the UK live with MS and it affects around three times as many women as men. There is a wide range of disease modifying therapies, but there is currently no cure.

About the MS Trust
The MS Trust is a charity which works to make a difference today for the 110,000 people living with MS in the UK.
We produce practical, reliable information, online and in print, and offer a telephone and email enquiry service to anyone who needs to know more about MS.
We fight to make sure everyone affected by MS can access good quality, specialist care. We offer a full range of support to both specialists and health professionals with an interest in MS, including online information, publications, newsletters and professional development.
We work in partnership with health professionals to improve MS services now and in the future, and we fund MS specialist nurses in the areas of greatest need.