Directorbank’s Matt Venning has successfully completed a gruelling 100-mile charity ride, cycling across rough terrain along the full length of the South Downs Way. The feat – a test of endurance and determination – took him from Winchester to Eastbourne and he crossed the finish line after an arduous 15 hours in the saddle.

Matt rode in support of The SMA Trust, the leading UK charity dedicated to funding research into a cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

The cause is close to Matt’s heart. His two year old daughter Alexa was diagnosed with SMA type 2 last year and there is currently no treatment or cure for the condition. Scientists and drug companies are making great progress and a breakthrough is genuinely possible within a few years.

Matt’s fundraising efforts will specifically go towards the launch of the ‘UK SMA Research Consortium’ which will bring together world class researchers and clinical experts to find effective treatments and fast track drug development.

Matt comments: “SMA is the leading genetic killer of infants and toddlers. There are some 2,500 children and young people with the condition in the UK alone and 1 in 40 of us is a carrier. My mission has been both to raise awareness of this devastating muscle-degeneration disease and to enlist help in funding a cure.”

The team at Directorbank congratulate Matt on such a tremendous achievement and have proudly contributed towards his JustGiving page. This is the first of many fundraising initiatives for Matt in his quest to reach a target of £50k.

For more information, or to sponsor Matt’s cause, visit www.justgiving.com/SMAsters-of-the-Universe