Mark’s 25 in 25 fundraising challenge
This July, Foothold supporter Mark Spry will be taking on an epic sponsored reading challenge to raise funds to support engineers and their families around the globe.
Engineer Mark Spry medically retired from a thirty-year career in the water industry and with Transport for London (TfL) after becoming disabled by Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2019. MND is a condition that affects the brain and nerves, it causes weakness that gets progressively worse over time.
As Mark came to terms with his diagnosis, he had to implement some big life changes. This included moving to a new home and adapting it to be wheelchair friendly. Foothold supported Mark during this time and contributed financially to help ensure his needs now and in the future would be met.
Mark is embarking on a sponsored reading challenge to raise funds and thank you to Foothold and the Motor Neurone Disease Association who have also supported Mark.
Mark said:
“I really wanted to do something to give back and say thank you. I’ve appreciated the support of both charities and want to ensure they can help others like me. I’ve challenged myself to read all 25 titles by the engineer-novelist, mariner and aviator Nevil Shute in 25 weeks. This is some serious reading; I’ll have to complete a book a week to reach my target. Once I’ve completed my challenge, I’ll donate the entire set to the IET library so other engineers can enjoy the famous books.”
Foothold’s Fundraising Manager Fliss Rook said:
“We were so pleased to be able to support Mark to settle into his new home following his diagnosis. The adaptations were vital to maintaining Mark’s independence and mobility. Foothold supports members of the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) and the engineering community around the world. We rely on donations, fundraising and gifts in wills to fund our work so Mark’s support is greatly appreciated. We wish Mark the very best of luck with his challenge.”
You can show your support for Mark and donate to his fundraising page: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarkSpry
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This money will cover all our everyday expenses until the government funding kicks in or we can start working again. I think it’s just brilliant that there is somebody giving this kind of support.Simon Gaze View story
The financial support has alleviated so many problems for us. I can’t express how much it helped - it’s enabled us to live a life.Alan Monelle View story
I feel like I have a safety net which reassures me massively. We still have stressful days, but I can manage them so much better than before.View story
The way we have dealt with the last 12 months is with a positive attitude, laughter and not being afraid to ask for help.Sharon Monelle View story