Biker friends rev up to raise funds for rare kidney disease

Biker friends rev up to raise funds for

rare kidney disease

THREE FRIENDS FROM SUFFOLK are heading out on a five-day tour on small-engined motorbikes to raise funds and awareness for a rare kidney disease charity.

Biker-friends Terry Sweet, Norman Heffer and Tim Smith, will take a route around coastal towns in England and Wales over five days, crossing twenty counties. The three men, who are accustomed to big, comfortable bikes of 1000cc or more, have taken on the challenge of buying and riding small-engined motorbikes of no more than 250cc which have been purchased for £500 or less.

Tim Smith told us:

“As you can probably imagine, for under £500 each, these are not top-quality brand-new little motorbikes, but rather, older, dilapidated and faulty, requiring some pre-event work by each of the riders to make them roadworthy! To make it even more interesting, the lads have also made it a rule that they cannot stay in any hotels, hostels or friends’ houses, but must camp wherever they can find each evening.”

Terry, Tim and Norman are raising funds for Alport UK, a charity which promotes research into Alport Syndrome – a rare, genetic kidney disease which can cause hearing loss, eye abnormalities and kidney failure. This disease has affected Norman’s own family; Norman’s youngest son, Luke, was diagnosed with Alport Syndrome in 2009 at the age of 12 and he has been on dialysis for a long period of time, before going into renal failure last year. Norman was heartbroken that he could not donate his kidney to his son, having had treatment for prostate cancer two years previously. Luckily, Luke’s brother and uncle were both a match, and his uncle was able to donate one of his kidneys, which enabled Luke to undergo a transplant in November at the age of 22.  The doctors now want to keep Luke’s brother in reserve, as it is most likely that Luke will need another transplant in about 15 years’ time.

Tim said:

“The guys and I feel that not enough is known about this devastating disease that has had such a huge impact on Luke, Norman’s son’s, life, as well as on his wider family. As Noman could not help directly by donating one of his kidneys, we have decided to undertake this small challenge to raise awareness of Alport Syndrome. The funds we raise will go to support the great work of Alport UK, a fantastic charity which is helping families living with Alport Syndrome and securing funding for more medical research and improved treatment.”

Departing on the 19^th of May, the three men will head off on their small bikes on a 1000-mile circuit around ports and coastal towns, ending on Southwold Pier.  In a bid to raise awareness of Alport Syndrome, they have chosen to visit places whose names begin with the letters which spell out the word “ALPORTS”:  Aldeburgh (Suffolk) — Littlehampton (Sussex) — Poole (Dorset) — Oxwich Bay (Swansea) — Rhyl (Denbighshire) — Trusthorpe (Lincolnshire) — Southwold (Suffolk).

The 1000 mile route crossing twenty counties across England and Wales in aid of charity Alport UK

Tim said: “As we know only too well from Norman and Luke’s experience, Alport Syndrome is a life-changing disease for the family and we want to do all we can to support the vital work of Alport UK. We are amazed how generous people have been and we’d love it if you could support this important cause by donating whatever you can.”

To keep abreast of the intrepid trio’s tour, follow their Facebook page using the hashtag #GoWildForAlportUK

To make a donation to Alport UK to support the three-man tour, please go to www.justgiving.com/GoWildForAlportUK