A COUPLE from Bournemouth who have set up a fundraising event to pay for a customised standing wheelchair have been overwhelmed by hundreds of participants taking part across the world.

Ellen Thomson, and her husband Rod, set up the “Keeprodrockin Around The World in 80 Days” challenge to raise £13,400 to purchase a powered standing customised wheelchair for Rod.

Having started the challenge on Wednesday November 18, hundreds of people have signed up to take part and have already helped Rod to travel 4,100 miles for his one virtual lap of the world.

Ellen said: “’Keeprodrockin around the world in 80 day’, our latest challenge, was launched just one week ago and already Rod has virtually travelled over 4,000 miles.

More than 200 people have signed up via the website www.Keeprodrockin.com and are now clocking up miles running, walking, cycling, swimming, rowing, paddle boarding.

T-shirts have been sent to 28 countries, including Australia, Nepal, Japan, Hawaii, Bali, South America, USA and China.

During the fundraiser the Multiple System Atrophy sufferer has managed to uncover secrets about his family’s heritage in Scotland without leaving his Dorset home.

Rod’s first stop on his global tour was The Orkney’s, where his family originate from. He knew very little about his father Tom’s life on Hoy, before he passed away suddenly 32 years ago, the year after Rod and Ellen got married.

The couple had planned to visit and explore the Isle of Hoy before Rod’s MSA hit and lockdown restrictions made the trip impossible.

Having put out an appeal to find out more about Rod’s family, Ellen has not only been inundated with information about Rod’s family but has been put in touch with distant relatives in Scotland.

She added: “Discovering Rod’s family in The Orkneys was a complete surprise to all of us.

“Having contacted Alan, at the Cantick Head Lighthouse, we had absolutely no idea he would track down missing relatives, using the single photo we held of Rod’s father on Hoy.

“We’ve since had messages, emails and photos from yet more family members.

“This whole experience has added enormously to the excitement of the challenge and for Rod to learn about his father’s early life is precious.”

Keeprodrockin are providing daily updates on their social media pages about the amount of distance covered as well as the amount of money raised, which stands at just over £10,000.

To take part or donate, visit keeprodrockin.com.