1 June 2022 Fundraising
Fundraisers Stuart Bates and Charlotte Nichols have been awarded MBEs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours following their Spennylympics fundraising challenge to support the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.
The couple raised more than £155,000 after completing their non-stop challenge in 2021, which saw them tackle every single Olympic event over the 17 days of the Tokyo Olympics. It was all inspired by Stuart’s brother Spenny, who died of MND ten years previously.
Stuart and Charlotte have been recognised in the Honours for ‘services to the Motor Neurone Disease Association’.
Ahead of the Spennylympics, Stuart and Charlotte spent months meticulously planning a comprehensive training schedule to understand the rules of each sport and learn specific routines for sports like rhythmic gymnastics and synchronised swimming.
During their challenge, the Spennylympics hit the headlines locally, nationally and even internationally with appearances on TV screens in the USA, Japan, Russia and Ghana.
Stuart and Charlotte said:
“We are shocked and honoured in equal measures to be receiving this recognition. When we embarked on the crazy journey that was the Spennylympics we were just hoping to raise as much money and awareness for the MND Association as possible. We never expected our little idea to capture the imagination of people across the world and to gain the attention that it did. To be awarded an MBE for services to the Motor Neurone Disease Association is an honour and we wish that everyone that tirelessly fundraises for the Association could be recognised in the same way. We would like to thank everyone at the Association and beyond that supported us throughout the challenge, without you we would never have been able to achieve what we did! We will continue to fundraise for the MND Association until there is an end to this cruel disease so stay tuned to see what we dream up next!”
Denise Davies, Head of Community Fundraising at the MND Association said:
“After working in fundraising for 30 years, it isn’t often I am faced with a completely unique fundraising challenge - but Charlotte and Stuart certainly managed to surprise me with the Spennylympics! I had the pleasure of being able to follow their incredible fundraising journey right from the planning stages, and the duo’s determination to make this unbelievable challenge a reality never ceased to amaze me. I am delighted to hear the news that Charlotte and Stuart have been recognised with very well-deserved MBEs for services to the Motor Neurone Disease Association and so from all of us, thank you so much for your tremendous hard work and the vital awareness you are continuing to raise of MND.”