Ilfracombe man’s Wacky Rally challenge to Bite Back at MND

An Ilfracombe man whose close friend is living with motor neurone disease is combining a 1,200 mile rally challenge with dentistry to ‘Bite Back at MND’.

Colin Everest is taking on The Wacky Rally adventure across Europe from June 26 until July 1 as part of his campaign to raise money and awareness for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and in honour of his friend Chris Eames.

Colin, who owns E-dent, a local Dental Laboratory, hopes to inspire the community to get behind his campaign called Bite Back at MND and he even has a shark-themed car he and co-pilot Pete Browning will enter in the rally.

The Wacky Rally is a ‘banger rally’ that sees teams enter decorated – and usually cheap – cars in a madcap trip across Europe, with this year’s route running from Lille in France to Barcelona in Spain, though UK entrants can meet first at Brooklands Museum in Weybridge.

Colin and Pete’s route will include the mighty Alps, plus daily challenges, twists and unforgettable roads, including the famous Grand St Bernard Pass and Monte Carlo F1 circuit.

Colin said: “I’m doing it in honour of two people who brought MND into my life in very personal way. Years ago, I helped create a custom mouth guard to ease the suffering of a woman living with MND who was biting her cheek and tongue. Sadly, she passed away. Since then, I’ve donated to the MND Association each Christmas instead of sending cards to clients.

“Now, a close friend of mine, Chris Eames, is living with MND and is courageously facing the progression of this devastating illness. His battle and the incredible support he and his family have received from the MND Association, has inspired me to do more.”

“This rally is for Chris and the other people currently living with MND in our hometown of Ilfracombe. It’s a fight to raise awareness, raise money on behalf of the MND Association to support more people living with MND, while funding research into potential new treatments.”

“We’ve called our campaign ‘Bite Back at MND’, a nod to both my dental lab, E-dent, which is sponsoring the car and trip and the determination to push back against this cruel disease. A local garage, A&R Autos, is making sure our shark-themed rally car is as road ready as possible.”

Colin and Pete will be posting regular updates along the way and after the rally they plan to return via Le Mans and also hope to enter their car into Ilfracombe Carnival in August.

Colin added: “Anyone who feels inspired to fight for a world without MND is invited either donate to our JustGiving page or to take part and help raise awareness and funds for the MND community – whether that’s through cycling, running or walking or indeed any other activity they enjoy doing.”

The MND Association’s Louise Henry said: “Colin’s determination to support his friend and raise awareness of motor neurone disease and help to raise vital funds to support our work is so inspiring and the whole community is incredibly grateful for his support.

“By supporting ‘Bite Back at MND’, you will help to make a huge difference in the fight against MND, helping to fund the research which gives us the greatest hope of discovering a cure for this truly devastating disease.”

If you would like to sponsor Colin and Pete’s trip to raise money for the Motor Neurone, please go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/colin-everest-wacky-rally-2025

For more information about MND and how you can get involved or help raise money, visit https://www.mndassociation.org/get-involved/fundraising