Generosity and hard-work helped JCB's Martin Ealham make a success of a fundraising hike across Northern England – with all donations going to the charity that helps him manage his circulatory condition. Martin, 49, of Uttoxeter, raised £1,300 for the Raynauds and Scleroderma Association (RSA) with help from JCB – which donated £250 to the cause – and work colleagues who raised a collective £400.
After he was diagnosed with Raynauds four years ago Martin began using a support group funded by the Association at Queen's Hospital in Burton-on-Trent. To thank staff for their treatment Martin decided to trek around 90-miles over six days from Tynemouth, in Tyne and Wear, to Bowness-on-Solway, in Cumbria, taking in Hadrian's wall en route.
Martin, who works at JCB Heavy Products in Uttoxeter, said: “I've been overwhelmed by the response. I hadn't set a definite target beforehand but I have raised more than double the figure that I had in mind when I set out. I'd like to thank family and friends for their kindness – not to mention my colleagues at JCB and JCB, who were so generous.”
Raynaud's is a common condition in which blood is prevented from reaching the extremities of the body, mainly the fingers and toes, on exposure to the cold or any slight change in temperature. Scleroderma is the name given to a rare group of auto immune conditions that damage the skin, blood vessels and internal organs and is estimated to affect 8,000 people in the UK. Scleroderma as yet, has no cure and often remains undiagnosed for years.
Liz Bevin's CEO of the RSA said: “We are very proud of Martin's achievement and should not underestimate the challenge he has undergone having both scleroderma and Raynauds. It is imperative we continue to fund research into this condition, at present it's hard for clinicians to ensure diagnosis is found as early as possible, enabling better treatment and therapies.”