A Northfield woman is fundraising to help protect animals in Madagascar, Galapagos and the Arctic Circle by completing a 270 mile walking and cycling challenge – in spite of receiving a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis 17 years ago.
Pet sitter Lisa Murray-Lang (49) is no stranger to pushing herself, having already power walked, walked and cycled 652 miles to raise over £10,000 for various charities.
Lisa completed her first half marathon back in 2006 when she first started getting symptoms. She was finally diagnosed with MS in 2008.
MS is an incurable autoimmune disease. The body’s immune system mistakenly identifies myelin – the protective sheath around the nerves – as a threat and attacks it. The resulting inflammation and damage this causes disrupts the ability for the nervous system to transmit signals around the body.
Symptoms vary widely but can include weakness, fatigue, eye issues, dizziness and muscle spasms and cramps.
Lisa said: “It’s a hideous disease and is painful, both mentally and physically. But I’m not going to let it win! I won’t take no for an answer, l’m able to do virtual challenges – walk, run, cycle etc wherever I want, clock up my miles on my pedometer and log them every day.
“I’ve now signed up to a Conqueror triple challenge – 90 miles around the Artic Circle; 100 miles around Madagascar (“like to move it, move it!”); and 80 miles around the Galápagos Islands with the sea turtles, as we were lucky enough to swim with sea turtles a few years ago.”
Lisa has already got started on her challenge, walking and using her exercise bike, and is planning to split any funds between the three causes.
She said: “I’m only one person, I know I can’t save the world but if l can make a small difference, then my time on this planet won’t be wasted.”
If you want to support Lisa in her efforts, you can donate directly by:
- PayPal: monkeyhead@yahoo.co.uk
- Bank transfer: Acc: 15002868 Sort: 30-62-61
Alternatively, you can donate to Lisa’s Friends of the Earth fundraising page.
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