Medway Roller Dance Club raise funds for MND Association
13:04, 13 August 2021
updated: 13:05, 13 August 2021
Roller skaters were on the move for more than three hours to raise cash for a cause close to their hearts.
Medway Roller Dance Club held a skatathon for MND Association and covered 246 miles between them.
They were doing it in honour of member Jacqui Jefferson who was diagnosed with the devastating disease 18 months.
MND affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord and causes muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste.
Jacqui's health has rapidly deteriorated she is now in a wheelchair and unable to speak.
But the Chatham mum was there on the day, despite the bad weather, along with her daughter and carer Victoria, 26.
The club had aimed to skate 100 miles at Betteshanger Country Park in Deal for MND Association's 5000 Mission challenge which calls on people to help cover 5,000 miles for the 5,000 people with MND in the UK.
But members, who usually meet at Woodlands Community Sports Centre in Gillingham, soon increased their target to 250 miles.
Unfortunately the weather was against them, and the group of 17 skaters had to call it a day at 246 miles.
They have raised almost £1,000 for the charity.
Club secretary Lisa Howard said: "We had adverse weather but a lot of them carried on going. We were there for around three or four hours.
"We were aiming for 250 miles but it got to the point where it was tipping it down."
Jacqui, who is in her 50s, joined Medway Roller Dance Club around 10 years ago, and was previously a member of Maidstone Roller Dance Club.
During her time at Medway, she has been a committee member and her daughter Victoria, an ex international skater, is now one of the coaches.
Lisa said: "Even after Jacqui was no longer on the committee she was always there to help out whenever she could.
"Jacqui is now wheelchair-bound and can't communicate. It is devastating.
"No-one knows a cure. So all you can do is help the local MND Association which is why we wanted to raise funds.
"The Association helps families of those with the disease, which is what Victoria needs."
To donate to the club's fundraising total, click here.
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