Freddie’s Everest Step-Up Challenge + Jove Social
Friday 29th August - Saturday 30th | Battersea Park
17,402 Step-Ups. A Half Marathon. 50lbs on My Back - In Support of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation
The Challenge
This isn’t your average fundraiser.
I’m taking on a brutal physical and mental test to raise money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation - a charity funding research to cure Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Here’s what I’m doing:
🔹 17,402 step-ups on a 20-inch box - the height of Mount Everest
🔹 Immediately followed by a half marathon
🔹 All while wearing a 50lb (23kg) pack (think about your typical hold luggage on a flight…)
🔹 Estimated duration: 30-40 hours of nearly continuous effort
Why? Because if you’re lucky enough to use your body - really use it - you should.
💛 Why It Matters
I have no personal connection to MND, but as a lifelong rugby fan, I’ve watched heroes like Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, and Ed Slater go from elite athletes to facing the unimaginable. MND is unbelievably cruel. It strips away movement, independence, and life - and there’s still no cure.
A diagnosis is a slow death sentence…
This challenge is my way of honouring their courage and fighting spirit. I’m stepping up for everyone who would give anything to move again.
👉 Donate now:
www.justgiving.com/page/freddie-sankey-1
How You Can Get Involved
You don’t need to do Everest in a with 23kg… but I’d love you to get involved however you can:
✅ Support the Challenge
Please donate if you can - every pound helps fund vital research
Share the story and help spread the word
Follow the journey via Instagram for updates and live progress
Step-Up With Me
Try your own mini step-up challenge: 1,000 reps, your staircase, your pace
Post your efforts with #stepupfordoddie
Or just come and cheer me on when I attempt this challenge
Join Me at the Finish Line
The challenge ends with a half marathon - likely slow and painful. Whether you’re running or just want to be there when I crawl across the line, I’d love to have you along.
Celebrate at the Jove Club Social
After the pain, we’re finishing with a Jove Club summer social.
Anyone is welcome! We’ll book a venue and release details shortly…
Join our WhatsApp community group (see link in footer)
A Final Word
I know this challenge is going to break me a bit. But I also know I’m incredibly lucky to be able to do it!
I know for sure that anyone suffering with MND would do this 100 times over for the chance to be free of this disease.
Let’s raise money, raise awareness, and take a step closer to beating MND.
👉 Donate now:
justgiving.com/page/freddie-sankey-1