Harley Salter completed his 50:50 challenge for the Huntington’s Disease Association with a 5km walk along Sandown Bay on Saturday (21st May).
For 50 days from 2nd April to 21st May 2022, Harley undertook a different challenge every day. 2 challenge options were presented to him and he tossed a 50p coin to decide which 1 he would accomplish. Over the 50 days, Harley ate, baked, cleaned, climbed, cooked, counted, crafted, danced, drew, painted, planted, ran, sang, walked, and more to complete 50 different challenges.
Harley delivered every single day for 50 consecutive days, achieving some amazing things along the way that went beyond the marathons and hikes that many people are more easily able to do. The challenges were specifically tailored to his physical, emotional, and mental health needs – his likes and his interests.
Harley is no stranger to taking on formidable challenges. In 2019, he set a Guinness World Record for the fastest 10km using a walking bike; in 2020, he became the 1st person to complete the London Marathon on a walking bike.
On 18th May, Harley’s challenge for that day enabled him to be part of a live online record-breaking attempt, and he duly became 1 of 5,362 mass participants for what is now a confirmed Official Guinness World Record for “The Most Number of Viewers of a Rolling Numbers Livestream”. This gives him his 4th official Guinness World Record: his 2nd while fundraising for HDA.
Harley’s mother Vanessa says:
“When I first pitched the challenge to people I was met with comments like: ‘he wouldn’t do it’ (he did); ‘he couldn’t do it (he could); ‘it wouldn’t work” (it did).
“But through 50 consecutive days of doing 50 different and unique challenges each day AND bonus challenges on top, he is the ‘The Man That Can’.”
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On completing Day 50 Harley’s 1st words were:
“I’m exhausted after doing my 50 challenges”.
The 50:50 challenge represents the toss of a coin metaphor families affected by Huntington’s disease face as regards a 50/50 risk of having the faulty HD gene if that gene is present in a close family member. Harley’s 50:50 challenge has raised £300 for Huntingdon’s disease research, but Harley says he was more focussed on raising awareness than raising funds.
Huntington’s disease is an incurable, hereditary brain disorder that damages brain cells. It has a wide-ranging impact, affecting movement, thinking, and mood. It affects 3–7 in every 100,000. The first signs normally appear in those aged 30–50.
Huntington’s disease impacts movement, behaviour, and cognition. It becomes harder to walk, think, reason, swallow, and talk. Eventually, the person will need full-time care. The condition or its complications can be fatal. There is currently no cure, but treatment can help with symptoms.
If you would like to contribute to Harley Salter’s fund raising for the Huntington’s Disease Association, his Gofundme page is: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/harleys5050challenge.
Well done Harley,stirling effort and what a great achievment, the 50:50 challenge..great respect mate, whats next?