A Dubai resident will forgo sleep and rest to cycle for 24 hours around the Al Qudra Cycle Track in Dubai in an attempt to raise awareness of motor neuron disease.
Sandy Stirling, 50, this year created the MND24 global challenge in memory of his father who died of the disease in March 2019.
Mr Stirling will be cycling with six friends in Dubai on March 11 from 6pm, while people around the world are invited to create their own 24-hour challenge throughout the month to raise awareness and funds for the cause.
MND is a debilitating illness that affects a person’s ability to move, talk and breathe, and worsens over time as the motor neurons that carry messages from the brain to the muscles fail. The rare condition, which affects about 420,000 people worldwide, can lead to early paralysis and death.
The idea is not only to create awareness about MND but promote mental wellness as well
Sandy Stirling
“The 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge did a lot to raise the profile of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is a form of MND," said Mr Stirling, who has lived in the UAE for 14 years and works as a business development manager for Al Tayer Stocks.
"However, MND requires ongoing attention so that a cure can be found and more people can be helped.
“My father, who was a farmer in Scotland, always said to me, 'don’t tell someone to do something on the farm that you can’t do yourself'.
"I’m hoping my endeavour inspires others to challenge themselves and also help raise the much-needed awareness for the disease.”
Mr Stirling, a former rugby player from Scotland, only took up cycling as a sport in 2019 when he was approached by a group to bike 110 kilometres around Cape Town, South Africa, in honour of a friend who died of malaria.
He decided to turn this newfound passion into an awareness campaign with a solo 12-hour cycling challenge in 2021 and had 130 people come out to support him on the day. This year he wanted to do a 24-hour challenge to test his limits.
“I also wanted to encourage people from all over the world to participate in their own way to make this a global movement,” Mr Stirling said.
Global challenge
Since its launch, the challenge has expanded to 19 countries, including the UK, US, Cuba, Germany, France, South Africa and Australia, with people signing up to perform any activity of their choice under the “24” theme.
They can complete 24-hour solo or relay challenges, cover 24 miles (38.6km) in an endurance activity or join a virtual race.
Mr Stirling said participants have chosen a range of activities, such as strenuous sports like cycling, rugby, surfing and cricket, a therapeutic task of a silence challenge, organising performances with a 24-hour salsa routine and a music concert.
Along with taking up the challenge, participants can also raise funds to support MND research and support their preferred registered charities through legal channels in their respective countries.
“I initially wanted this to be a sports challenge but realised that it would exclude a lot of people who are not sporty but want to do something for the cause," he said.
"The idea is not only to create awareness about MND but promote mental wellness as well. So, if someone finds happiness in organising a 24-hour movie marathon while also bringing attention to the cause, then that achieves our goal.”
Local support
In Dubai, residents can sign up as individuals or teams to join Mr Stirling and his group during the challenge. They can embark on the full challenge or commit to a certain number of hours to be part of the peloton.
Riders will break for a few minutes after completing every 50km of the cycle track loop to eat and regroup.
“The group who will be doing all 24 hours with me are just friends who believe in what I’m doing and want to support. But since cycling has taken off in a big way in the UAE, I’m expecting a lot of people to show an interest in this event,” Mr Stirling said.
“When people register, they can get in touch with us and indicate their preferred riding times and the number of hours that they want to commit.
“The idea is to make sure everyone is safe and having fun, so we will be managing the size of the peloton and every group will be led by experienced and strong riders in the front.”
Training for the challenge
Mr Stirling has been spending a significant part of his week on the Al Qudra Cycle Track in the lead-up to the challenge, understanding his fatigue levels and devising his food strategy.
“I’ve been training 15 to 18 hours a week and it has been intense. Between work, my family commitments and the launch of my family-owned brand in the UAE soon, this has been quite a monumental undertaking, but also very rewarding,” said the father of a 4-year-old boy who will be at the finish line on the day.
“Most people that I have shared my desire with think I am crazy for doing something like this. Even my family thinks I’m crazy. In the end, if it even makes a small difference, it’ll all be worth it.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Second Test, Day 2:
South Africa 335 & 75/1 (22.0 ov)
England 205
South Africa lead by 205 runs with 9 wickets remaining
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
UAE Falcons
Carly Lewis (captain), Emily Fensome, Kelly Loy, Isabel Affley, Jessica Cronin, Jemma Eley, Jenna Guy, Kate Lewis, Megan Polley, Charlie Preston, Becki Quigley and Sophie Siffre. Deb Jones and Lucia Sdao – coach and assistant coach.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
RACECARD
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
