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

 

Service X18 Diversion 17 May 25

Northumberland County Council have...
16 May 2025
Read more

North East Multi Operator Smart Zone Fares

Multi Operator Smart Zone pricing is...
02 Apr 2025
Read more

Dalesbus is back for summer 2025

Running from 20th April to 19th October...
18 Mar 2025
Read more

Kids go free North East

Between the 24th of May and 1st June...
11 May 2025
Read more

Carabao Cup Parade Diversons Saturday 29th March

All services will operate to their...
27 Mar 2025
Read more

Service changes in Tees Valley and Whitby

We are making some improvements to our...
13 Mar 2025
Read more

Get ready to see the extraordinary all from your X18 bus seat

Arriva’s X18 bus isn’t just any ride...
03 Apr 2025
Read more

NECA-funded multi-operator day tickets

From 1 April 2025, the North East...
25 Mar 2025
Read more

Road Closure: Dryburn View and Finchale Road

From Thursday 13 March until Saturday 22...
13 Mar 2025
Read more

Plan my journey

Find my bus

Where are you coming from?
Where do you want to go?