Anne and Simon take on 100km Ultra Challenge

Founders of Rosedale Funeral Home, Anne and Simon Beckett-Allen, are preparing to take on the 100km Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge over May 2nd and May 3rd in support of a long-serving colleague living with multiple sclerosis.

They are raising funds for the funeral home’s chosen charity of the year, Waveney SHIMS – a support group for people with MS.

The cause is especially close to the team as multiple colleagues are directly affected by MS, including Lucy Coote, who was diagnosed with the condition 20 years ago.

Lucy, of Beccles – who relies on crutches and a motorised wheelchair to get around – has worked at the funeral home for over 15 years and said she is grateful for the support she has received as her condition has progressed.

The community ambassador said the backing of her colleagues has made a significant difference as she continues to work while managing her condition.

“The whole team has been unbelievably supportive,” she said. “I never want to be defined by my illness. I still work full time, I still want to do all the things I did before, it’s just about finding new ways of being able to do that.

“I’m not the only one in the organisation who has been touched with MS, it’s not just me, but the fact Rosedale is raising so much money for Waveney SHIMS means a lot to me.”

Simon and Anne have been training for the 106km, roughly the equivalent of two-and-a-half marathons, endurance challenge along coastal paths, which must be completed within 48 hours and is considered one of the UK’s most demanding walking events.

Staff at Rosedale Funeral Home have been taking part in a series of fund-raising events in support of Waveney SHIMS this year.

Activities have included a car boot sale organised by bearer Simon Tansley, quiz nights and a 55-mile cycling challenge from Halesworth to Attleborough, visiting the company’s seven branches, which is taking place on the 18th April.

The efforts have raised £870 for the MS support group so far – to find out more or to donate, visit www.rosedalefuneralhomecharityoftheyear.muchloved.com/Donate

Mrs Beckett-Allen said: “We’ve done lots of charity fund-raising in the past, but this year feels particularly special.

“Doing these challenges for people you really care about, people you’ve worked with for so many years – it’s hard not to get emotional just thinking about it.

“MS isn’t something you hear about all the time, but we know our colleagues and their family members have been affected by it.

“We hope doing these challenges will raise more awareness of MS and help Waveney SHIMS to keep doing the important work that they do.”

(As featured in the Diss Express. Photo of Anne, Simon and Lucy by Mark Bullimore)