ACC on a mission for MNDA

16 September 2020

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Johnson is on a mission to walk 5,000 steps in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) before his retirement later this month.
Members can join Chris in the Mission 5,000 challenge or show their support by donating to the charity.

Chris was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) – which affects the brain, spinal cord and nerves that stops muscles functioning – in autumn 2018, six months after being promoted to Assistant Chief Constable.

He aims to complete the challenge before his retirement on 25 September and has recorded his first steps in a video, which you can watch here.

“I’m taking part in Mission 5,000 and I aim to do 5,000 steps,” he said. “One for every person who is living with MND across the UK.

“I hope to be able to complete this challenge between now and my final retirement date with West Midlands Police on September 25.”

MNDA aims to encourage an army of fund-raisers to cover 5,000 miles – a mile for every person living with MND in the UK – during the five-week Mission 5,000 challenge. People are being urged to run, walk, swim, cycle or even scoot to add to the total.

The charity expects to lose more than £2 million this year due to the cancellation of community, sporting and fund-raising events because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A spokesperson said: “Every penny raised from Mission 5000 will bring us closer to achieving our ultimate mission; a world free from MND.”

Find out more about Mission 5,000

• A fund-raising appeal set up in the ACC’s name has already raised almost £25,000 which will be split between the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Primrose Hospice in Bromsgrove which is supporting Chris and his family.