Haverhill locals taking on 1,000 mile walking and running challenge this weekend

It's to raise cash for motor neurone disease research

The 1000 mile challenge last year
Author: Jasmine OakPublished 5th Aug 2023
Last updated 5th Aug 2023

Locals in Haverhill are taking on a challenge to walk or run a combined thousand miles in 48 hours this weekend.

They started at 12:00 o'clock on Friday at Haverhill Rugby Club and will be finishing Sunday, 12:00, o'clock noon.

After they've finished at 12:00 o'clock, they'll be holding a BBQ with a live band, along with a disco and a raffle.

The event is being held to raise money for Kings College in London where they hold all of the trials and research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND)

The end is being held in memory of Neil Mustoe, a local man who passed away from the condition recently.

Neil was diagnosed in 2019 and did everything he could to prolong his life.

He took vitamins, and supplements and took part in a trial at Kings College aimed at finding ways to treat the condition.

Matt Hancock taking part in the challenge last year

Event organiser Kelly Feeney said: "thing with Neil was always so positive, from the moment he got diagnosed."

"...He was a big personality in this town. He was a coach for the Haverhill Juniors Football Team when his three boys were growing up and then continued to be a part of that.

"He was a member of the Haverhill running club, a huge member...He taught people how to run - being an amazing runner himself.

"He was an extremely good friend to myself and my husband and to a lot of people in this town.

"It was an awful, awful, awful disease. It really is.

"...It started in his legs and then moved to his arms and then his core. It's just awful seeing him deteriorate the way that he did."

As Neil was an avid runner, they decided on completing a thousand miles as he is no longer able to do things like this himself.

Kelly's goal is to cover at least 20 miles herself on Saturday. She is encouraging everyone to join and walk or run as many miles as they would like.

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