We Ride 4 MS

Charity Motor Cycle Ride

The epic International Charity Motor Cycle Ride, ‘We Ride 4 MS’ from Sydney to London undertaken by MS sufferer Ralph Dixon and his partner Fionnuala Livingston was almost foiled just 120 miles from London.  Ralph and Fionnuala are seen (left) with children from the Parkes Primary School.

The motor cycle which had carried the brave couple all the way from Sydney was stolen in Wales.  British and Welsh media swung into action resulting in not only the bike’s safe return, but the Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation being the recipient of many online donations from England and Wales.

Ralph and Fionnuala were determined to finish their epic journey to London, returning to Wales and completing the remaining 120 miles.

“We were gutted when we realized the bike had been stolen,” Ralph said.  “The Gwent Police in Wales made a concerted effort with media assistance and we were overwhelmed by the number of emails and offers of assistance we received.”

Ralph and Fionnuala’s inspirational journey, which was fully endorsed by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, saw them sleeping in the open air at the edge of a village at the Afghanistan/Pakistan border.

“We were made feel welcome and we sat in the middle of nowhere drinking tea in a mud hut,” Ralph said.  “Fionnuala wore a burka.”

“All the men carried guns and I was taken into the women’s compound,” Fionnuala said.  “It was an amazing experience.  There were fifteen women all elaborately dressed and very happy.”

‘We Ride 4 MS’ took Ralph and Fionnuala to a developmentally disabled school in a Malaysian village where the children had never seen a Westerner.

“The people in Iran were incredibly generous and some of the Pakistan people are the most friendly we have ever met,” Ralph said.  “The Iranians completely serviced our bike, gave us petrol and accommodation free of charge and even took time off work to take us around.  We couldn’t even make a comment because we would be given something.  It became embarrassing.”

The Ride was supported by local MS Societies in most of the countries visited.  Media support was substantial and various fundraising activities took place in each country.

Funds on the Australian leg of ‘We Ride 4 MS’ were dedicated to the Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation.

“Ralph and Fionnuala’s Ride was ambitious, daring and inspirational,” said Foundation Director Roy Langsford.  “They certainly achieved their goals of raising funds for research and awareness of this disease.  The Foundation is most grateful for their absolutely tremendous support.”

Foundation Directors Roy and Carol Langsford accompanied Ralph and Fionnuala on the Australian leg of the Ride visiting primary schools along the way.  The students were given the opportunity to follow ‘We Ride 4 MS’ on the web and learn about multiple sclerosis.  Many had already supported the MS Readathon.

Congratulations to Ralph and Fionnuala for their incredible achievement!

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Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Primary School, Tenterfield; Warrnambool Primary School; Tailem Bend Primary School; Solomontown Primary School, Port Pirie; Wudinna Primary School; Penong Primary School