Chiswick Wheelathon Raises Large Sum For Charity

The event was in memory of local resident Mayo Marriott and raised funds for muscular dystrophy

 Ten children and toddlers joined forces to raise over £4,500 when they wheeled their way on trikes, bikes and scooters on a route around the lake in Chiswick House grounds .

The 'Wheelathon' was in memory of a local man who lost his life to a devastating muscle-wasting condition last year and who loved visiting Chiswick House and Gardens.

Mayo Charles Marriott

The event was organised by Chiswick resident Ginny Winter (34) in memory of her brother, Mayo Charles Marriott who had the life-limiting condition, Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The condition causes muscles in the body to weaken and waste overtime and sadly, Mayo passed away in July last year at the age of 38. Ginny decided to organise the ‘Wheelathon’ as a positive way to pay tribute to her brother and get the whole family involved in remembering him, while raising funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. The charity backs research into treatments for muscular dystrophy and related conditions and supports families affected in the UK.

More than 70,000 children and adults in the UK have muscular dystrophy or a related neuromuscular condition. A further 350,000 people are affected indirectly as family, friends or carers

Ginny’s children Chloe (2) and Tommy Winter (4) were amongst the youngsters who took part in the event, raising a stunning £2,500 between them, with over £4,500 raised in total by the group.

Ginny said: “When my friend and I decided to organise the Children’s Wheelathon in memory of my brother Mayo, we had no idea how successful it would be! We are totally amazed by how much sponsorship the children have raised - we are extremely grateful to our friends and family who have been so generous.

“Mayo was an extremely positive person with a real sense of social justice - he went out of his way to help others and did not see his disability as something negative. He loved Chiswick House and its grounds.  Mayo, my sister Catherine and I grew up in a house that backs onto the park so we spent much of our childhood there. It seemed like the perfect place to hold this event in his memory.”

Laura Watts, Senior Volunteer Fundraising Manager at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said;

“The Wheelathon was such a great event and a lovely way for Ginny and her family to remember Mayo. All the children involved got really excited about their fundraising and it’s amazing that they have raised over £4,500 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. Each of them has helped us fund research which could change the lives of people affected by muscular dystrophy and related conditions in the future.”

If you would like to support the ‘Wheelathon’ please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/remember/58092/Mayo%20Charles-Marriott

The work of the muscular Dystrophy Campaign includes funding world-class research to find effective cures and treatments, as well as providing practical information, advice and emotional support for individuals with muscle-wasting conditions, their carers and families. The charity also campaigns to bring about change and raise awareness of muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions. It also awards grants towards the cost of specialist equipment such as powered wheelchairs.

April 29, 2013