We are grateful to the many members, their families and friends and supporters who regularly take part in fundraising events to raise money for NASS.
If you would like to help support NASS in this way, there are numerous events around the UK to choose from including marathons, bike rides, walks, and even sky dives or you can even plan your own fundraising event. It can be great fun and can be extremely rewarding.
Whatever you choose to do, please let us know so we can provide you with the fundraising materials to get you started. Email admin@nass.co.uk or call 020 8948 9117.
Here are a selection of events and activities members and supporters of NASS have been doing throughout 2010 so far:
IAN SWANSTON CHARITY GOLF DAY
Organised in memory of Ian Swanston, a NASS member and keen golfer, the 7th Annual Ian Swantston Charity Golf Day returned on Friday 25 September 2009 at the Aldwickbury Park Golf Club, Harpenden in Hertfordshire.
Organised by his widow Annie, this event has raised an astounding £40,000 for NASS since its inception in 2003. We are extremely grateful to Annie and everyone who helps with the Golf Day for their continued support.
ROYAL PARKS PLACES FILLED!
We are delighted that we have filled our places for the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon on 10 October. Taking part for us this year are:
Jessica Blastland - a physiotherapist who also took part for NASS last year
Kate Cameron - who also took part in Run to the Beat last year and raised money for NASS
Janni Nielsen - a NASS member who is keen to support us any way she can
Simon Owen - son of St Albans branch contact Trevor
James Sumpter - Simon's friend who is a fitness enthusiast
Thank you to you all for taking part, raising awareness and of course money for us.
18 June 2010
PAUL & FRIENDS COMPLETE CYCLE CHALLENGE
Paul Sheerin and his friends completed the Skye to Glasgow cycle on Saturday 5 June. Below Paul Decribes his experiences:
We nailed it! 16 hours and 40 minutes after leaving Glen Brittle the Polaroid Eyewear Cycle Team arrivedin Glasgow. With 12 hours and 10 minutes actual cycling time, we covered the 187 miles at an average speed of 15.5 mph, including the 9700 feet of hill climbs along the way.
Here’s how the day went. We started at our planned 0445 time, leaving the stunning Glen Brittle with the sun rising over the Cuillin mountains.
Glen Brittle is a bit of a brutal climb – the steepest gradient of the day and a shock to the system after porridge, bananas and 4 hours sleep (at best – many thanks to the Italian visitors sharing the youth hostel…). We cruised across Skye with the roads to ourselves and the dawn chorus as a soundtrack, arriving at the ferry almost one and a half hours to spare. The support team of Pete and Jan, Barbara and Evelyn kicked in straight away. While Pete, Jan and Barbara prepared and served breakfast, Team physio Evelyn started what would be a day long task to work on Eric’s dodgy knees.
Then leaving Mallaig disaster struck. My (six week old!) chain snapped tearing my rear gear off and buckling my rear wheel. Pete and Jan supplied me with the spare bike and then raced ahead to Oban to see if a cycle shop could repair it in time. With almost half an hour lost in changeover we set off on the Mallaig to Fort William road.
By the time we got to Fort William the bike was fixed and after another fuel break we headed down Loch Linnhe towards Ballachullish, for the first time facing a head wind as the westerly wind blew hard in the face coming off the sea loch. To counter the wind and now heavier traffic we cycled two pelotons – Crawford, Bennie and Eric at the front and Dave and myself as pair following a distance behind. But, as we were all day, this was just the blessing in disguise, for as we turned to face the more than 10 mile climb of Glencoe, we had the wind in the back just when we needed it most. Glencoe was stunning, and very tough, a hill that just keeps going. And when you reach the summit on Rannoch moor it drops you back down half way only to have to climb it all again.
We arrived at stop number 3, Tyndrum, ahead of schedule and truthfully tired after the longest and toughest leg. The magic powers of one leg to go, rice pudding and jam for tea and a surprise visit at the stop by Geert Gritter and his family put us back on the bikes with renewed push.
In fact so much push that as we careered out of Crianlarich in a 5 man Peloton at around 20+ mph, someone (they know who they are) forgot that cycling is a non contact sport. Number 3 clipped number 2’s wheel and went down. Number 4 (me) hit the brakes too hard went over the handlebars into the mess. Number 5 ran into the cyclist soup. I do remember thinking as I went sailing over the handlebars in slow motion ‘I wonder if my leg will hold up…’, and once again the cards were in our favour. A few skinned knees and knuckles, a few bent bits on bikes but nothing serious, and especially no cars to run into the tangle of bodies. 5 minutes later we were up and off again meeting up with our familiar Loch Lomond and a feeling of almost home. We stopped at Tarbert for a coffee and chance to clean the cuts, and then down Loch Lomond to home.
At home, some friends and neighbours joined our team and support crew as we sat out of the front of the house and had a glass of champagne, followed by glasses of milk for recuperation. I phoned my Dad and he welcomed me into the now slightly less exclusive club. The sun was still shining and it was still light at 1030 as we called it a night (and a day).
I really enjoyed the day – all of it. All of the training and preparation was worth it, and we all saw a lot of Scotland at its absolute best. The weather could not have been better, and the support team was fantastic – special thanks to Jan, Pete, Barbara and Evelyn – as you have read above, without them we simply would not have made it.
As well as indulging my challenge we have also now raised close to £2000 for NASS, the ankylosing spondylitis charity and my sincere thanks to all who donated.
Updated 10 June 2010
A POETIC MARATHON FOR DAVID
David Utley, who works with someone who has AS, took part in the Shakespeare Marathon on 25 April. David managed to raise £300 for NASS through his Just Giving page.
18 March 2010
Updated 10 June 2010
SIMON AND JULIE COMPLETE WORLD'S FASTEST MARATHON
Simon Ross and Julie Lambert completed the Endinburgh marathon last month. Both managed to raise a lot of money for NASS - £1600 between them! Thank you and congratualtions to both of you.
18 March 2010
Updated 10 June 2010
THANK YOU TO EMMA AND ALL AT HER LOCAL
Thank you to Emma Henson and the customers at her local pub for raising over £300 for NASS at a quiz night in May. The quiz night was held in memory of Emma's grandfather, Bill who was also a member of the Sandwell branch of NASS.
 Emma running the quiz
A SUMMER OF EXTREMITY FOR ANDY... AND NOW KATIE TOO!
Andy Chapman is taking on the challenge of a lifetime next year when he plans to take on FIVE of the most difficult events that exist. He is beginning bravely with Ultra Race 40 – an ultra marathon which covers 40 miles from Northampton to Tring, followed by the Shakespeare Marathon, The Little Beaver Triathlon, UK Iron Man Triathlon and The Outlaw Triathlon. He is also hoping to make it SIX with an application to take part in the Ironman UK Triathlon still pending.
Andy chose to support NASS as his partner’s brother and father suffer both have AS and he wants to raise awareness. We are very grateful to Andy for the amount of effort that he is putting in for us so if you would like to support him please visit his fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/AndychapmanNASS.
Andy's partner Katie Alderman is also taking up a great challenge this summer when she competes in her very first triathlon in Derby on August 16. I think we have a couple of extreme sort enthusiasts on our hands!
Update: congratulations to Andy on completing his first event, the Ultrarace 45 on 23 January. He now looks forward to the Shakespeare Marathon on 25 April.
UPDATE: Andy completed the Little Beaver Triathlon in a good time - we will keep you up to date with any more of Andy's efforts.
Updated 18 March 2010
Updated 10 June 2010
A NORTH OF THE BORDER NASS EN MASSE
Helen Matthews, a member of NASS has decided to organise her own mini version of NASS en Masse in May up in Aberdeen. She has managed to talk some of her friends into joining her which she may not have been able to do for the trip all the way down to London! Please get in touch with the NASS office first if you are planning anything similar.
18 March 2010
UPDATE
Helen and her friends managed to walk 20km on 2 May. Altogether they managed to raise over £1300 for NASS en Masse - thank you to everyone who took part!
10 June 2010
ANNIE RUNNING 5K FOR NASS
For the 4th year in a row, Annie Webster will be taking part in the Adidas 5k Challenge in September. To support Annie please click here.
10 June 2010
VALERIE TO RUN TO THE BEAT FOR SISTER
Valerie Filliette’s sister was diagnosed with AS a few years ago. In honour of her sister, to raise awareness of AS and some money for NASS, Valerie is taking part in this year’s Run to the Beat. This is a funky event held in London with live sets from DJs as participants race around the streets.
18 March 2010
JONATHAN AND FRIENDS OFF UP NORTH
Jonathan Ball and some of his friends are competing in this year’s Great North Run on 19 September. Jonathan has had AS since 2003 and his condition has improved significantly since the introduction of new treatments.
To donate please click here.
18 March 2010
Updated 10 June 2010
MANCHESTER TO BLACKPOOL FOR KATE
Kate Plant, a NASS member and Stockport branch contact, will be cycling from Manchester to Blackpool in July. Some of our readers may remember David and Peter Howarth took part last year. To support Kate click here.
18 March 2010
LIZZIE TO DO IT AGAIN FOR NASS
Lizzie Grisdale, a member of NASS is again taking part in the Sovereign Harbour Crossing in New Zealand on 21 November. This time however she is also taking part in SEVEN other swims across some of New Zealand’s most beautiful stretched of water. Lizzie has already managed to complete 4 out of the set - best of luck with the rest of them Lizzie!
To support Lizzie please visit her fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/lizziesoceanswims
Updated 18 March 2010
LONDON MARATHON COMPLETED FOR GERRY AND JONATHAN
 Congratulations to Gerry Dance (pictured) and Jonathan Lord for completing the London Marathon 2010. Gerry managed to raise £250 whilst Jonathan managed a whopping £1150. Thank you to both guys for such a great effort on our behalf.
Updated 18 February 2010
DAVID CYCLING THE LENGTH OF BRITAIN
David Piper will be cycling literally the length of Great Britain when he cycles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in July. He tells us “My Dad has AS, so I'm familiar with the symptoms and limitations it can impose. We went on a few family cycling holidays when my sister and I were younger, but since we both left for Uni, the joint summer activities have ceased, and my bike was pushed to the back of the garage. I brought it to Edinburgh (where I'm studying) this year to get to and from lectures, and decided to challenge myself (and my bike) this summer. Once I realised the fund-raising opportunity was too good to miss, NASS was the obvious choice.” To support David please visit his fundraising page www.justgiving.com/davecyclestheuk.
18 March 2010
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