On a chilly December morning in Wigan, the air inside Robin Park Leisure Centre was thick with anticipation, determination, and a healthy dose of community spirit. Jordan Burns, a 30-year-old wheelchair rugby player from Standish, was about to embark on a feat that would test not only his physical stamina but also society’s perceptions of disability. With his teammates, friends, and family cheering him on, Burns set out to hand-pedal an astonishing 40 miles—64.4 kilometers—using nothing but the strength of his arms and his relentless drive.
This remarkable challenge, completed on December 9, 2025, wasn’t just a personal triumph for Burns. It was a fundraising mission with a dual purpose: to support his beloved Wigan Warriors wheelchair rugby team and to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA). According to BBC Radio Manchester, Burns had spent six grueling months preparing for the event, dedicating countless hours to intense gym sessions and mental preparation. "My disability has given me a drive. I felt so ecstatic to know my hard work has paid off," he told the broadcaster, the pride in his voice unmistakable.
But why take on such a challenge? For Burns, it was about shattering stereotypes as much as it was about raising funds. "Some people think people with disabilities can't do anything like I just did and I wanted to break down that stigma," he explained. As he completed the last few laps of his handcycling marathon, his teammates’ cheers echoed his own sense of accomplishment. "It's great to be part of a team and especially great to have some of my teammates cheering me on at the challenge," he said. The funds raised will help the team buy new kit and wheelchairs, giving them the tools they need to chase their dreams of winning trophies. "The money will mean the world to us because we want to progress as a team, we actually want to get better as a group and obviously the main aim is—because I'm a Wigan lad, I actually want to win trophies with my club."
Burns’ inspiration for supporting the MNDA came from two rugby league legends: Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield. Both men have become powerful advocates for the MND community, with Sinfield’s high-profile fundraising challenges and Burrow’s public battle with the disease capturing the hearts of sports fans across the UK. "I'm a massive rugby league fan and I just love their relationship and what Kevin's done for charity," Burns said. "Even though I'm a Wigan Warriors fan, I've followed their careers and I wanted to contribute some of the money to the MND Association because of that."
The impact of Burns’ efforts rippled far beyond the walls of the leisure centre. The morning after his challenge, he received a heartfelt message from a man living with MND, thanking him for his efforts. That moment, Burns said, was transformative. "As soon as I got that message, I knew I wanted to take on another challenge in the future." He isn’t sure yet what form that next test will take, but he’s certain it’ll happen in 2026. "People with a disability can achieve things—and that's something I proved yesterday for myself and other people to see."
Burns’ story is just one thread in a much larger tapestry of community action and generosity supporting the fight against motor neurone disease. On December 10, 2025, just one day after Burns’ handcycling feat, employees at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) gathered for their annual Christmas staff event. There, they celebrated a year of tireless fundraising by handing over a cheque for £30,616 to the MND Association—a sum raised entirely through their own time and initiative.
The scene at the DVLA event was festive and heartfelt. Richard Shackelford, the MND Association’s Relationship Manager, accepted the cheque alongside DVLA Commercial Director Darren Thompson and staff members Cassie James, Philip Thomas (decked out as Father Christmas), and Katie Rees (appearing as Holly the elf). Tim Moss, DVLA’s Chief Executive, praised the team’s dedication, calling their commitment "truly inspiring." He emphasized that the funds would have a real, tangible impact on people living with or affected by motor neurone disease.
The DVLA’s fundraising efforts over the past year were as varied as they were enthusiastic. Staff organized sponsored runs, mountain climbs, quiz nights, raffles, and a host of other creative events. Earlier in 2025, the agency even served as a checkpoint for Kevin Sinfield’s widely followed 7 in 7 challenge, further raising national awareness of MND. Their Charity of Choice scheme, launched in 2014, allows DVLA employees to select a different cause to support each year. Over the past decade, the scheme has raised more than £450,000 for 11 charities—a testament to the collective power of small actions adding up to something extraordinary.
Looking to the future, DVLA staff have already chosen the RSPCA as their nominated charity for 2026, ensuring that their culture of giving continues unabated. But for now, the spotlight remains on the impact their efforts will have for those living with MND and their families.
For the MND Association, these acts of generosity are lifelines. The charity works tirelessly to support people affected by motor neurone disease, campaign for improved care, and fund research into the condition. Every pound raised helps provide vital services, from specialist equipment to emotional support, and fuels the search for better treatments and, one day, a cure.
It’s hard not to be moved by the stories of people like Jordan Burns and the staff at DVLA. Their efforts remind us that change often begins at the grassroots level—with individuals and communities coming together, not for recognition, but out of a shared sense of purpose. Whether it’s a marathon handcycle ride or a year’s worth of bake sales and quiz nights, these acts of kindness and determination make a difference, not just in the lives of those directly affected by MND, but in the broader fabric of society.
As 2025 draws to a close, the fight against motor neurone disease continues. But thanks to the tireless work of fundraisers, athletes, and ordinary people who refuse to accept the status quo, hope remains very much alive.