100 Trains. The global charity event of 2016

A series of charity walks, and rolls (for wheelchair users), along the route of a 50,000 km train journey will be organised.

The trains that are included in this journey, are some of the highest, longest and most iconic trains on Earth; passing through some of the most beautiful and wild landscapes on the planet.

The entire, 50,000 km, journey will restart in 2016 - to raise vital funds for Ataxia UK and as a vehicle to raise global awareness of ataxia and to serve as a vehicle to unite ataxia sufferers, supporters and charities worldwide.

How you can be part of this journey

Organizer: "The journey will start on the 23rd of January next year, with a Walk'n'Roll through Hyde Park in London (my 50th birthday & I can't think of a better way of marking the occasion). Everyone, whether a London resident or visitor, ataxia sufferer or not, is invited to join me for a gentle stroll through London's finest park."

The continuation of the journey is being funded, in no small part, by the Friends of 100 Trains - a group of well-wishers (many complete strangers) who wish to be part of this journey (even if simply watching, as the journey unfolds, from the comfort of their very own armchair). ANYONE can become a "Friend" of the journey.

And as a way of thanking "Friends" for their vital support, their websites, Twitter and Facebook pages are listed. Additionally, their Twitter accounts are listed on a dedicated Twitter list at: Friends of 100 Trains.

A bit of history

The original journey, from Scotland to Siberia, was undertaken, and ultimately abandoned in Siberia, in 2013. Over 21,000 km from Glasgow in Scotland, through central and northern Europe, western Russia to Novosibirsk (Siberia).

On reaching Novosibirsk, it became obvious that a previously minor "balance" condition was progressively worsening, and that seeking medical attention might be a wise idea.

So the journey was very reluctantly abandoned, and the initiator returned to Scotland for what would turn out to be 2 years of medical tests.

"On returning to Scotland, it took a never-ending stream of doctors and neurologists almost 2 years to identify the cause of my deteriorating health. And it wasn't good news: I am suffering from a form of ataxia. Late onset Spinocerebellar Ataxia in my case."

"Ataxia? Never heard of it? Neither had I. And we're not alone. Around 91% of the UK population have never heard of it either (one of my aims for this journey, is to put a huge dent in that 91% figure!)."

"So now I will attempt the entire 50,000 km journey again. Only this time, the journey will be done in a number of smaller stages (due to the nature of my ataxia). Plus, I'll be taking part in fundraising walks in many of the cities I pass through - raising vital research funds for ataxia research, and uniting ataxia sufferers and supporters worldwide. "