LAST Christmas, leading UK consultancy Focus FM chose the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation as their Charity of the Year

The company which provides building services engineering and sustainability solutions with nationwide offices in London, Birmingham and Newcastle, kicked off their campaign by donating £5 from each festive e-card opened.

And to boost the coffers employ Rod Fisher will take on the Thames Marathon on Sunday August 14 in aid of foundation.  

This long-distance endurance swim from Henley-on-Thames to Marlow will see Rod tackle 13km of water and he believes it’s a ‘privilege’ to raise money for Doddie.

He said: "I have been fortunate enough to have been involved in quite a few fund raising sporting events in the last so many years, from cycling to marathons, triathlons and swims.

“I think this marathon swim will possibility be my last hoorah as it were (famous last words). I had read up a bit about MND via your website and others and I’m also concerned that UK based charities might be suffering due to the economy and world events, and that they can also get overlooked.

“It’s a privilege for me to help MN5N in some small way, whilst challenging myself at the same time."

The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has two aims: firstly, to raise funds for research into the causes of MND and investigate potential cures, and, secondly, to make grants to sufferers of MND and enable them to live as fulfilled a life as possible.

Donate to Rod’s challenge here.