Cardiff businessman Robert Chapman is gearing up to run around the perimeter of Wales in memory of late friend Tony John, with the aim of raising £25,000+ for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

The Moon Shadow Wales Challenge will see Robert, 56, set off on a 1,030 mile run on Saturday 26th March at Poppit Sands, ending at the same location on 30th July, the anniversary of Tony’s passing away last year. The challenge has aptly been named Moon Shadow Wales Challenge after Tony’s favourite Cat Stevens song.

Robert, who is director of commercial & regeneration property consultancy Robert Chapman & Company, worked very closely with Tony John, partner of Shepherds the Vets, over a period of 5 years whilst advising him and the veterinary practice on the delivery of a new Veterinary Animal Hospital.

In December 2013, Robert learned that Tony had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. Tony sadly lost his battle against the disease on 30th July 2015.

Speaking about Robert’s upcoming challenge, Tony’s wife Lynne John said: “We appreciate everything done to continue to raise awareness of this cruel disease, and especially the aim to raise money for research. Roberts’s progress will be followed with great interest”.

MNDA is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland dedicated to improving care and support for people affected by MND, funding and promoting research, and campaigning to raise awareness so the needs of people with MND are addressed by society.

Robert will set off on his run from Poppit Sands, Pembrokeshire on Saturday 26th March 2016. As a busy professional, working through the week, he will undertake the sequential legs of the run over two day weekends over a period of 4 months before returning to his starting point. He will be running at least a marathon distance per day and possibly up to 35 miles per day to get to each destination point. The route will see Robert pass areas including Whitesands, Pembroke Dock, Mumbles, Barry, Monmouth, Clwydian range (near Llangollen), Colwyn Bay, Holyhead, Llanbedr and Newquay, taking in the Welsh landscape and meeting locals along the way.

Robert’s challenge coincides with ‘Wales 2016: Year of Adventure’, a Welsh Government campaign promoting Wales as the world’s capital of adventure tourism.

Speaking about the Moon Shadow Wales Challenge, Robert said: ‘‘Sometimes in life, one is moved to do something tangible. This has happened to me in my desire to raise money for MND research in memory of Tony, and to help prevent the 5 people per day dying of the disease. To boot, I will also be helping to raise the awareness of a lesser known charity. This endurance challenge will also be a personal journey.’’

Richard Shackelford speaking for the Motor Neurone Disease Association said: “We are delighted to work with Robert and support his Moon Shadow Wales Challenge in 2016. This is an amazing athletic endurance test and we are extremely grateful to Robert for giving his energy and time to achieve so much publicity and awareness for MND and the work of our Association.

“I urge anyone interested in supporting Robert’s challenge to visit the dedicated website where details can be found of how to help. Also, watch out for social media twitter and Instagram channels as Robert progresses.”

To find out more about the Moonshadow Wales Challenge visit www.moonshadow.wales

To sponsor Robert and help him reach his £25,000+ target, you can donate through his Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/Robert-Chapman12/