A life turned upside down.
In 2023, our world changed forever. This is the story of what happened next — and why I'm determined to make something meaningful out of it.
Everything changed in 2023
In 2023 my wife Nikki was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Our daughters were nearly 2 and 8 at the time — and finding the right words for our eldest, who is autistic, was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.
Those first few months were filled with uncertainty — late nights reading, worrying about what the future held for our family.
Nikki's resilience through it all has been remarkable. She is currently in good health, and her strength drives everything I do.
The MS Society were a lifeline
In those early days the MS Society gave us guidance, practical support, and connected us with a community who truly understood what we were going through. From helpline calls at midnight to signposting us toward the right specialists — they were there at every turn.
"Their support empowered us to face the future with strength and hope."
They support over 150,000 people living with MS in the UK — funding research, running support groups, and pushing for better treatment. They were there for us, and I want to give something back.
Learn more about the MS Society
A new lease on life
By mid-2024 I knew I needed to change. At 97kg I set a goal to reach 80kg — and lost 17kg in six months through a personal trainer, quitting smoking, cutting out energy drinks, and building a home gym.
The physical transformation brought a mental one too. Early mornings and hard training taught me that small, consistent actions lead to monumental results — and made me a better husband and father in the process.
It also proved to me that I had the discipline to take on something truly ambitious. That's when the idea of the expeditions began to take shape.
The birth of Source2Sea
I've always been drawn to the outdoors — hiking the American Southwest and Midwest, at home in wild and challenging places. With Nikki's diagnosis, I wanted to channel that into something meaningful.
Rivers felt right. They have a beginning and an end. They carve their own path through whatever landscape they're given — which felt like a fitting metaphor for life with MS.
Source2Sea is five river expeditions — hiking, kayaking, and cycling from source to sea. Each one dedicated to Nikki, and to everyone living with MS. Every pound raised goes to the MS Society.
The goal is £100,000. It's ambitious. But so is living with MS.
Help us reach £100,000
Every donation — however small — helps fund MS research and support services for people living with the condition every day. Nikki's story is one of thousands. You can help change the outcome.
Donate via GiveStarGot questions? Read the FAQ →