Lake District family raises £1 million for MS research

The Booth family, from Keswick, began fundraising after Duncan Booth was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2010, aged 39.

Inspired by the Lake District fells, the family launched the 10in10 and Challenge5 events to raise money for MS research in hopes of one day finding a cure.

Yvonne Booth, Duncan’s wife, said: "When Duncan was diagnosed, our boys were so young.

"We were only in our 30s and we really didn't know what the future was going to look like for our family.

"But we decided that we wanted to do something positive.

"We wanted to raise money to find a cure one day.

"Fifteen years later, to have raised £1 million is incredible.

"When I think back to those early days, I don't think we could ever have imagined where it would lead."

Since 2011, thousands have taken part in the 10in10 challenge—climbing ten fells in ten hours.

The family recently reached their £1 million fundraising target, which supports the MS Society’s Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair.

Duncan Booth, a former primary school teacher and elite rock climber, now lives with mobility and balance issues due to MS.

He said: "I have had to adapt as my MS has progressed, first I had to give up my passion of climbing, then rowing, then cycling.

"I now use a handbike for exercise.

"Life is tough but I do what I can and try to get outside in nature as much as possible."

More than 150,000 people in the UK live with MS, the most common neurological condition in young adults.

Mark Haymes, head of community and event fundraising at the MS Society, praised the Booth family’s achievement.

He said: "This is an incredible achievement and we’re so grateful to Yvonne and Duncan for the tireless work they’ve put in to making 10in10 the huge event it is today.

"To reach their £1 million fundraising goal is not something many people can say."

The Booths now hope to raise £2 million.