Arriva bus drivers on board in fight to cure rare disease

Drivers from Arriva North East’s Darlington depot raised almost £750 towards a £50,000 target to find a cure for six year old Ryan Chidzey’s rare and fatal muscle-wasting condition.  

Ryan lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Determined to find a cure in his lifetime, his parents Cieran and Claire set up Our Fight For Ryan.

The drivers donned Santa and Elf outfits along with Christmas jumpers for the whole of December and Arriva passengers got involved by making donations during their journey. Additionally, the generous drivers also donated £5 from their December wages.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy causes muscles to weaken and waste over time, leading to increasing and severe disability. The condition affects not only muscles used for movement but also the heart and vital breathing muscles, cutting lives short. All of the money raised by Our Fight For Ryan goes straight to Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund.

Mum Claire Chidzey said: “We appreciate all the support from Arriva and the Darlington community for this fantastic amount raised”.

Susanne Driffield, Regional Development Manager for Muscular Dystrophy UK said:
“We are funding ground-breaking research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy with the help of family funds like Our Fight for Ryan. Potential treatments are being trialled and could transform lives. It is vital we continue to support this work, for Ryan and the 2,500 people in the UK living with this condition”.

Nick Knox, area managing director for Arriva North East, said: “We are incredibly proud of the Darlington team’s fundraising efforts for Our Fight for Ryan. It’s important that we support the communities in which we operate and the Darlington team have made some great progress in raising awareness for Ryan, the Chidzey family and Muscular Dystrophy UK”.

To support Our Fight For Ryan please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/muscular-dystrophy/ourfightforryan