Over 400 people from across the UK took part in the MS Society’s 10in10 challenge this year with the event expected to raise over £70,000 for the charity.

The annual 10in10 challenge took place in Keswick in the Lake District on Saturday, June 17.

This is the 12th edition of the challenge and will take the total fundraising since the first 10in10 in 2011 to over £800,000.

The challenge, which sees participants run or walk 10 fells in 10 hours, was designed and created by Yvonne Booth after her husband, Duncan, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2010, aged 39. 

Yvonne explains: “This was our 12^th year and, once again, the feedback was incredible. We had 70 local volunteers who did a fantastic job looking after the participants on the fells and at the event base The Swinside Inn, Newlands Valley.

“It was a brilliant day and the weather was kind to us. After the scorching temperatures the week before it was much cooler on Saturday and there was some cloud covering, we even got a bit of rain. Perfect Lake District fell walking weather.

“We are completely overwhelmed by the support we get for the 10in10 and Family 5in5, we couldn’t do it without the support of local businesses, friends and family. We extend our thanks to our sponsors Berghaus and Sir Chris Bonington who is our Patron, who has supported the event since the very beginning.

“We are making a huge difference together by walking to stop MS and everyone already wants the date for next year. We can announce that the event in 2024 will be held on Saturday, June 22.”

As a wife and mother of three sons, Yvonne wanted to do something positive and help raise money for research into the painful and relentless condition.

With more than 130,000 people live with MS in the UK. MS damages nerves in the body and makes it harder to do everyday things like walk, talk, eat and think. It is unpredictable and different for everybody.

Ed Montana-Williams from London took part in this year’s 10in10, said: “Thank you to all the amazing volunteers and assistants who made this year’s 10in10 one of the best events I have been privileged to take part in.

“Their enthusiasm, generosity, good humour and professionalism really made the day for myself and my teammates. The route was rightly challenging and the guidance notes and directions were perfect.”

Ed Tait, Executive Director of Engagement and Income Generation at the MS Society, took part in the Family 5in5 which takes in 5 peaks in 5 hours with his 13-year-old son, Elliot.

He said: “We take our hat off to Yvonne and Duncan, and all the team, who’ve pulled off another amazing event in the Lake District. I was delighted to take part in the 5in5 with my son.

“The scramble up to the first peak was a real challenge, but with lots of encouragement from the enthusiastic and experienced volunteers, we made it.

“The rest of the peaks came in relative quick succession but we were still exhausted, and grateful, to finish 4 and a half hours later to a loud welcoming committee. I am in awe of those intrepid adventurers who took on and completed the much longer 10in10 challenge. Maybe next year…

“We are so thankful for the amazing amount raised from the 10in10 over the years which has helped us to fund life changing research for better treatments for MS and provide support for anyone affected by the condition.

“I would recommend the event to any keen walkers who want to take on a breathtaking challenge and together we’ll stop MS.”

The challenge started and finished at the Swinside Inn, Newlands Valley with challenger taking on Causey Pike, Sail, Crag Hill, Wandope, Whiteless Pike, High Snockrigg, Robinson, Dale Head, High Spy and Maiden Moor covering 26km or 16.1 miles with 6700 ft of ascent.

For more information visit: www.10in10.org.uk