Moving for a Cause: How Physical Activity Supports Your Fundraising and Your Mind

Your monthly Q&A with Maxine —Duchenne parent and HF Fundraising & Chrysalis Grant Manager

Your monthly Ask Max, a space where the Duchenne community can send in real questions and hear directly from someone who’s living it.

Last month, ' Is It Okay to Say No? –

Protecting Your Time Without Guilt'

This month, 'How Can Physical Activity Support Your Fundraising, and Your Mind'

Maxine responds below and shares her strategies to try and cope as best she can.

Maxine writes:

'How Can Physical Activity Support Your Fundraising, and Your Mind'

This month, I want to share something that’s really inspired me. Austin and I were lucky enough to take part in Sara Cox’s incredible Children in Need challenge this year. Being there, watching people push themselves not just for miles but for meaning, reminded me of something powerful: every step, every small effort, can make a difference.

Now, I’m definitely not suggesting anyone needs to take on something quite that big! The point isn’t the scale, it’s the idea that movement, in any form, can support a cause you care about and your own wellbeing at the same time.

Why Moving With Purpose Feels So Good

Physical activity clears the mind, lifts your mood, and eases stress, especially during demanding or emotionally heavy times. It gives you a sense of progress and control, even on days when everything else feels a bit chaotic.

And when you connect that movement to a purpose, like supporting Harrison’s Fund, something special happens. You feel part of something bigger. Your steps mean something. Your effort becomes hope for families like ours.

You Don’t Need to Be an Athlete

Movement with purpose can be simple, gentle, and completely personal. You might choose:

• a daily walk

• a family step challenge

• a sponsored swim

• a gentle cycling goal

• a “move every day for a week” fundraiser

• a team challenge with friends or colleagues

The distance doesn’t matter.The amount raised doesn’t matter.

What matters is doing something positive for yourself and for others.

Fancy Getting Involved?

If you’ve ever thought about combining movement with fundraising for a cause close to your heart, I’d genuinely love to hear from you. Whether you already have an idea, want help shaping one, or just want to chat it through, please reach out. No pressure. No expectations. Just possibilities.

Being involved in Sara’s challenge with Austin showed me something unforgettable… When you move for a cause, anything is possible in your own way, and at your own pace.

Let’s make movement matter.

With care,

Maxine