Talk Morgan Forums Nordkapp 2013 Challenge for Marfan Syndrome

As some of you will have already seen from the post in the Meets & Events section, four members of Talk Morgan: Andy (Boshly), Brian (Aeroman), John (AsboJohn) and myself have tasked ourselves with driving to the Arctic Circle in a Morgan Three Wheeler, three Classic Morgans and a Morgan SS in May 2013.

You can read the long version of how and why this charity challenge came about by following the link. However, the short version is as follows:

As many of you are aware, the four of us have spent a fair amount of time at the factory. As a result, over the years we have become acquaintances of many and friends with a fair few of the people involved in designing, building and maintaining the cars we all love and cherish. One person in particular is Steve Morris, Operations Director, of Morgan Motor Company. As those of you who will have met him can attest, his passion for our cars and willingness to help owners is second to none; you could not meet a more down to earth and genuine fellow.

In 2011 Steve was scheduled to go away with a group of us, in our Morgans, but was forced to cancel when his daughter was suddenly diagnosed with Marfan syndrome. Even before this revelation, Lucy had undergone operation after operation to straighten her spine due to scoliosis. What the consultants had failed to diagnose was that Lucy actually had Marfan syndrome and this, due to the effects it has on the heart, could easily have cost her and the family dearly. The diagnosis meant an emergency heart operation and from that moment forward, I know the four of us were unified in finding a way to support Steve, his family and the courageous 11-year old Lucy.

Rather than continuing on and telling you all about Marfan syndrome and reiterate all that is written on the Driven at Heart site , I would ask you, on behalf of us all, to take the time to read the site.

Our goal is to raise awareness of this disorder which effects 1 in 5000 people and gather as many donations as possible for the Marfan Trust UK, who are working tirelessly to research the disorder, with the ultimate goal of identifying a cure.

We will be updating the Driven at Heart site all the way up to our departure in early May and once on the challenge, we will be feeding back photos, video and updating our progress.

You can help now by telling as many people as you can about this charity initiative and asking them to 'Like Us' on Facebook , follow us on Twitter: @drivenatheart and take the time to visit our web site. Of course we'd love you to donate but that is your choice and we appreciate the generosity and of those who already have.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Since agreeing to get involved with this I've done some research on the task ahead of us and its certainly not going to be ajolly. So please don't think the four of us will be having it easy far from it.

I'd like to add my bit to Simon commentary in that it wasn't a highly paid consultant the diagnosed Steve's daughters condition it was his wife who linked together all of the conditions.

The Marfan Trust is like many unheard of charities in the UK constantly struggling for money to raise awareness and conduct research. Last year the charity raised £50,000 ( much of this from bequests ) which in today's world doesn't stretch very far, and hence the reason for the disease going undiagnosed, as the medical profession doesn't join the dots. If our efforts can prevent a few parents suffering the uncertainty that Steve suffered then I'll be happy.

I've done a few children's charity things now and the bit that gets me at the end of the day is how lucky I've been to have two healthy kids, and you can't put a price on that.

So please dig deep and spread the word.

£50 donation added with love from Charlie and Meghann!

Thank you Charlie, and Allon White and Andreas and everyone else who has donated money and who have sent best wishes and support. It's very much appreciated.

I have kept a back seat on the written front as I knew that Simon (and his team) would make a far more eloquent job of explaining the nuances of what we are doing and hoping to achieve. And he has . Thanks Simon.

There is a hell of a lot going on in the background to ensure that, again, we achieve our objectives to get there, get back and raise awareness and a lot of money.

And again thank you to all who are working so hard to get this moving; to the guys at the Factory, to Our TM colleagues joining us, to the guys at Jenrick, to Tenkara Films, to Mogmag, to Rune in Norway and all the other clubs/dealers who are now helping/meeting us en route and all at TM for your support (have I missed anyone?). Enormous thanks.

However to me it was very simple at the outset. I'd never really done anything physically for charity. A few car runs and monies donated here and there, that's all. So, before I'm too and too decrepit (and buoyed by programmes like The Long Way Round) I'd like to get off my backside and do something.

So, very simply, combine a few of my passions (friends, Morgans and driving) give a bit of my time, find a deserving cause and away we go

Beautiful roads, great driving, lovely cars and good friends its a no brainer! Ok it WILL be relatively tough, and it will cost us personally a fair amount of money, but thanks mainly then to the valiant efforts of others we will raise a LOT of money and awareness for a great cause.

I couldn't agree more; I'm sure that is a sentiment shared by any parent of healthy children.

This sounds like an excellent cause, I shall certainly be making a contribution.

Thanks Charlie and Meghann; we'll make sure to get some photos of the M3W within the Arctic Circle for you.

Having spoken with a few Norweigan members - many of whom think we're crazy! - we've been told to expect snow and our fair share of punctures due to the amount of sharp flint debris that finds itself onto the road (especially during the more Northern part of our journey).

Whilst I am sure it is obvious, and as mentioned above, all the money donated is going direct to the Marfan Trust. Andy, Brian, John and myself are all funding the trip and all the associated costs ourselves.

As before, thanks you to those who have taken the time to read this thread and donate.

I will be updating the site on Monday/Tuesday with more content.

Is there any way we can get the factory to leverage some of their press contacts to get the news out through the car press ?

I did think about this for Franks excellent effort but was unable to get anything through my contacts.

Need the loan of a(nother) GoPro for the journey ?

Great effort guys - the PaddyMogs will be making a contribution too. Cheers!

I have only just picked up on this thread and want to add my best wishes for the venture.
What a terrific cause.
The generosity of spirit of many members of this site makes me proud to be associated with you all.

Bud

__________
2003 - 4/4

+ 1 !!