Community fundraising at Overcoming MS: doing it together

Our community fundraisers are at the heart of everything we do at Overcoming MS, and we are continually inspired by the passion, creativity and commitment of the people who choose to support us – from personal challenges to group events and everything in between.

Every fundraiser helps us continue supporting people to live well with MS, funding evidence-based programmes, trusted information and opportunities for connection that make a real difference to people’s lives.

From inspiring challenges to unforgettable events, see what community fundraising achieved in 2025 – and discover how your own fundraising could make a difference in 2026. If you’re feeling inspired to fundraise for Overcoming MS, email [email protected] to start the conversation.

Looking back: Community Fundraising Highlights from 2025

2025 was a standout year for community fundraising at Overcoming MS. Across the year, individuals and groups stepped up in creative and committed ways, showing just how powerful our community can be when we come together with a shared purpose.

One of the year’s highlights was the Hadrian’s Wall Trek, a group of ten supporters took on this demanding challenge, pushing through tough terrain and unpredictable weather to raise an impressive £4,100. Their determination and teamwork made a tangible impact and inspired others to consider challenges of their own.

Another unforgettable moment came with the Ping Pong Fundraiser, organised by Darren Bloom. Combining fun, friendly competition and incredible generosity to raise an astonishing £82,000, making it one of our biggest community fundraising efforts of the year.

In addition to these fantastic team efforts, we were inspired by supporters like Ed Downes, who took on the Thames Path Challenge and raised over £4,000 and Katherine Furman who raised £260 in the Santa Dash in December. And not everyone’s challenge was physical, Debra Davies raised £112.50 by making and selling her own Christmas cards, while Ian Airey-Regardsoe raised £350 through an 85th birthday fundraiser for his mum. They show how one person’s determination can make a meaningful difference.

We were also deeply grateful to celebrate Tim Cobb’s Annual Lunch, held at the AMEX Stadium in November, which raised an incredible £55,000. The evening was a powerful testament to Tim’s ongoing commitment and to the generosity of his guests, many of whom have continued to support the event year after year. Adding to this momentum, we were honoured to be chosen as the charity for the Best of British lunch, which contributed over £6,000 to our work while also helping to raise awareness of the impact of healthy lifestyle changes to MS.

Alongside these standout efforts, our wider challenge event participants collectively raised over £18,000, reinforcing just how much impact can be achieved when many people each play their part.

Together, these achievements reflect the strength, creativity and commitment of our community and they leave us feeling incredibly grateful and excited about what we can achieve next.

Looking Forward: Community Fundraising in 2026

We already have much to be excited about for 2026, and there is still plenty of time to get involved and be part of what’s shaping up to be another inspiring year of community fundraising.

Kicking the year off are Ged Falmer and his friend Adam, who are taking on the extraordinary personal challenge of completing 365 climbs across the year to raise funds for Overcoming MS. It’s an ambitious and inspiring commitment, and we’ll be sharing updates along the way so you can follow their progress and show your support.

We’re also delighted to be cheering on a brilliant group of runners, with Karen Lee taking on the Taunton Half Marathon, Jenny McClenahan running the Belfast Marathon, and Sarah Johnson tackling the iconic London Marathon, each fundraising with every mile they cover.

In the UK, we have a brand-new partnership with Parallel Windsor 2026, a festival of inclusivity taking place on 5 July 2026 at Windsor Great Park. With challenge distances ranging from 100 metres to 10 kilometres, alongside a fully accessible festival packed with activities, entertainment and family-friendly fun, it’s an event designed for people of all ages and abilities. Places are available now and there’s no minimum fundraising target – you can raise what you can. Read more here.

Looking ahead to the spring, in May 2026, we’ll be launching a brand-new community fundraising campaign called Move Your Way in May. This flexible and inclusive campaign encourages everyone to get moving in a way that suits them, whether that’s walking, wheeling, running, cycling, swimming, dancing or something completely your own. Stay tuned for more details and join us in making 2026 a year of community connection and impact.