Local brothers take on coast to coast challenge to help MND sufferer Gavin

Two brothers from Oldham are taking on the Coast to Coast challenge to raise funds for the MND Association Manchester and District branch.

Starting at the harbour at Whitehaven, Cumbria, John and Gary Bentley will cycle over 200km to the beach at Whitley Bay in Northumberland.

The brothers are fundraising in support of their good friend Gavin Price, with an overall fundraising target of £100k.

Gavin’s family and friends were devastated when he was diagnosed with MND in 2017.

Gavin, the jewel in the family crown and a ‘social butterfly’, played rugby for Lancashire in his youth.

John said: “Gary and I have completed many long-distance rides together, but now we are both in our late(ish) 50s, this one is going to be a toughie.

"However, we have completed 12 marathons between us - 12 by Gary and zero by me!

"I’m confident we will get over the line in good time!

“We are proud to fundraise for a local organisation that has provided so much support to Gavin.

"This challenge gives us the opportunity to show our love to a wonderful man.”

The Bentley C2C challenge takes place on Friday, September 10.

Gavin’s army of supporters have taken part in cricket tournaments, football matches the Great North Run and most recently the grueling ‘Man vs Lake' event that included a 30-mile run followed by an assault course across Lake Coniston.

The Manchester and District branch of MND Association is run by friendly volunteers, all willing to help in any way they can.

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is an incurable condition that paralyses the muscles leaving people unable to do everyday things the rest of us take for granted.

Walking talking and swallowing become virtually impossible and, in some cases, cognitive and behavioural changes happen (Frontotemporal Dementia, aka FTD).

All donations to the MND Association will be gratefully accepted.

Please click here

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.