Kim Gouldson is well known for her small market garden business All the P’s in Stratton. During idle chat at the beginning of the year Kim agreed to join a friend in walking during this third lockdown.

Kim said: “I like a challenge and I’m passionate about raising money and so I thought I’d combine the two hoping that my friends may support me.”

The challenge she set was to walk a total distance of 300km by March 1. Kim knew that with the inclement weather and with her husband Allan needing her more indoors that it would certainly be a challenge.

Many readers will know that Allan was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease seven years ago, and year-on-year he dumbfounds the medics and makes Kim and his family proud.

Kim continued: “A more brave, caring, selfless man you could not wish to meet. The Cornwall branch of MND have been a lifeline to us and in 2020 we had hoped to have another garden party but sadly this was not possible and although we did find creative ways to raise money for them, it wasn’t the amount we would have wanted.”

The Cornwall branch are at the heart of all the fundraising that Kim undertakes at All the P’s.

However, there is also vital medical research needed. Kim added: “I would give anything for them to find a cure for MND. It is something I pray for daily. Sadly the scientific quest for answers does involve animal testing within the research. Whilst we need cures and treatments I would also like to see a future for my grandchildren where use of animals in research is a thing of the past. Animal Free Research UK evidences this possibility with pioneering research and good friends of ours are key members of the Bude support group who are particularly active.”

Kim decided therefore to split any money raised equally between MND Cornwall and Bude support group for Animal Free Research UK (AFR UK).

The most nerve-racking part was wondering if anyone would donate said Kim: “I hate asking for money (or help) but this is very important to me and so I decided to be brave. I am absolutely overwhelmed to find I have achieved my distance challenge and raised more than £2,000 all by the end of January. I have decided to keep going until March 1 as planned. Allan and I are taking commissions for original artwork and donating the proceeds so please do pop up to see us or contact us on Facebook if you would like to see our work.”

Karen Lang, from the MND association, said: “Kim and Allan are an inspiration to me. They are the most wonderful selfless people and have done so much for MND Cornwall. We really treasure them and their endeavours. I met them a couple of years ago as my role as association visitor for the MND association.

“My role is to visit people living with MND and their families and to support them through their own MND journey. We work as advocates of the person and family to ensure that they get the very best care and support in a timely manner. We also assist in the provision of quality of life grants and specific grants towards adaptations within the home. Anything to make life easier and manageable in a time of immense worry and stress.

“The Cornwall MND association also works hard to bring awareness of the disease, education for professionals working with MND and as much support for our MND community as we can. Kim and Allan’s fundraising will enable the association to continue with the service we provide and they will be helping so many other people in our MND community. They know I love them dearly as do so many others which is apparent when reading the comments on their fundraising page.”

Steph Jones-Giles community ambassador for AFR UK added: “The Bude group are so very grateful to both Kim and Allan. They truly are an inspirational couple and I know Professor Harries from The University of Exeter Medical School has written directly to Kim to outline how the money will be spent.

“Currently AFR UK fund three researchers in the Exeter laboratory looking specifically at Diabetes, the re-purposing of medication to treat diseases of ageing as well as research into COVID-19. The money Kim is raising will be invaluable in taking this research forward.”

Kim also has an online way to donate if anyone would like to visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kimgouldson