A FORMER drag racer who has muscular dystrophy is aiming to do 50 challenges in 12 months to prove to his nine-year-old daughter who has the same disease there is nothing which cannot be done.
Nigel Holland, 49, from Wellingborough has set himself the target of completing all 50 tasks by December 9 – his 50th birthday.
The challenges include riding a jet ski, bungee jumping, writing a book, spending a weekend with a Formula 1 team and swimming 100 lengths of a pool.
Mr Holland said: “I have muscular dystrophy and have been in a wheelchair for the last ten years.
“I used to be able to walk but in the last three or four years my knees have become weak.
“Up until 2010 I was the only wheelchair drag racer in the country and used to take part in the national championships.
“I am a petrol head and I do like speed.
“This is about having the ability to step outside my comfort zone.
“My daughter, Eleanor has the same condition as me. She started showing the symptoms when she was four or five years old.
“Her legs started to get weaker and her ankles started turning in.
“She does have a wheelchair but she only uses this if we are going on a long walk.
“She has splints to keep her ankles straight and she might need surgery to her spine in the future. I want to show her that no matter what problems she may face there’s a way of doing everything one way or another.”
The top three challenges Mr Holland really wants to complete are travelling at 170mph for a quarter of a mile at Santa Pod, taking part in the Silverstone Half Marathon next month and doing a scuba dive.
He also wants to raise £5,000 for CMT (Charcot- Marie-Tooth) a muscular dystrophy campaign.
To find out more visit www.the50list.co.uk
