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Coronation Street inspires MND wheelchair walk around Australia Coronation Street inspires MND wheelchair walk around Australia
(about 11 hours later)
Billy Whiston is walking around Australia, starting and finishing at the Sydney Opera HouseBilly Whiston is walking around Australia, starting and finishing at the Sydney Opera House
A plotline from Billy Whiston's "guilty pleasure" TV show put the wheels in motion for his epic journey down under. A plotline from Billy Whiston's "guilty pleasure" TV show put the wheels in motion for his epic journey Down Under.
In April 2024, a storyline involving Coronation Street character Paul Foreman living with motor neurone disease (MND) inspired Billy to raise money for MND charities by pushing a wheelchair around Australia's coast.In April 2024, a storyline involving Coronation Street character Paul Foreman living with motor neurone disease (MND) inspired Billy to raise money for MND charities by pushing a wheelchair around Australia's coast.
The full journey is more than 8,948 miles (14,400km), which Billy started on 3 March and expects will take a year to complete.The full journey is more than 8,948 miles (14,400km), which Billy started on 3 March and expects will take a year to complete.
The 25-year-old, from Glossop in Derbyshire, says he loves watching the long-running soap with his mum.The 25-year-old, from Glossop in Derbyshire, says he loves watching the long-running soap with his mum.
Actor Peter Ash won a National Television Award in 2024 for his portrayal of Paul Foreman in ITV's Coronation StreetActor Peter Ash won a National Television Award in 2024 for his portrayal of Paul Foreman in ITV's Coronation Street
In 2024, Billy said he knew he wanted to take on a challenge but was not sure what it would be.In 2024, Billy said he knew he wanted to take on a challenge but was not sure what it would be.
Then, one night with his family, while Coronation Street was on the television in one room and rugby league in the other, a conversation at half-time gave him the inspiration he needed.Then, one night with his family, while Coronation Street was on the television in one room and rugby league in the other, a conversation at half-time gave him the inspiration he needed.
"At the time, Peter Ash was playing Paul who had MND in the show. My mum started talking about how good he was at acting it," Billy said."At the time, Peter Ash was playing Paul who had MND in the show. My mum started talking about how good he was at acting it," Billy said.
In the show, Paul was diagnosed with MND and the storyline concluded with his death from the disease in September 2024.In the show, Paul was diagnosed with MND and the storyline concluded with his death from the disease in September 2024.
"It got us talking about MND that evening. And because we were watching the rugby too, I said, 'That's what Rob Burrow had' - and my Dad brought up Doddie Weir," Billy said. "It got us talking about MND that evening. And because we were watching the rugby too, I said, 'that's what Rob Burrow had' - and my dad brought up Doddie Weir," Billy said.
"We were having this conversation about how terrible it was, and it was in that moment that I had this plan."We were having this conversation about how terrible it was, and it was in that moment that I had this plan.
"I said, 'What if I push a wheelchair around Australia for MND?' So my mum said, 'Do it then'." "I said, 'what if I push a wheelchair around Australia for MND?' So my mum said, 'do it then'."
Billy is pushing a wheelchair around the Australian coastlineBilly is pushing a wheelchair around the Australian coastline
Billy's journey started and will finish at the Sydney Opera House. He plans to walk 25 miles (40km) every day for a year in order to complete the coastline of Australia.Billy's journey started and will finish at the Sydney Opera House. He plans to walk 25 miles (40km) every day for a year in order to complete the coastline of Australia.
He walks during the day, while his girlfriend Lucy Carey drives their support van, which they sleep in overnight.He walks during the day, while his girlfriend Lucy Carey drives their support van, which they sleep in overnight.
The whole way Billy pushes a wheelchair, which he says is "to symbolise the cause I'm doing it for and to emphasise the difficulties that MND sufferers go through". The whole way, Billy pushes a wheelchair, which he says is "to symbolise the cause I'm doing it for and to emphasise the difficulties that MND sufferers go through".
This is Billy's first time undertaking a challenge of this scale.This is Billy's first time undertaking a challenge of this scale.
"I've not got any endurance background whatsoever," he said."I've not got any endurance background whatsoever," he said.
Billy's girlfriend Lucy Carey is on hand with the support van while Billy walksBilly's girlfriend Lucy Carey is on hand with the support van while Billy walks
Billy said the early weeks of the challenge took a toll on his body.Billy said the early weeks of the challenge took a toll on his body.
"The blisters in the first few days were tough. I ended up with two broken toes just from breaking in my shoes," he said."The blisters in the first few days were tough. I ended up with two broken toes just from breaking in my shoes," he said.
"Now, I only get pains in my legs at night, rather than during the walking itself."Now, I only get pains in my legs at night, rather than during the walking itself.
"I cover myself in factor 50 everyday, head to toe. I even managed to get burnt in overcast weather." "I cover myself in factor 50 every day, head to toe. I even managed to get burnt in overcast weather."
Billy says the toughest part is having no days off but he specifically chooses to walk every day to make it more of a challenge.Billy says the toughest part is having no days off but he specifically chooses to walk every day to make it more of a challenge.
"People with MND would give anything to be able to walk to the end of the street, so if I can do this for them I will," he said. "I'm lucky to be able to do it.""People with MND would give anything to be able to walk to the end of the street, so if I can do this for them I will," he said. "I'm lucky to be able to do it."
Billy says "you can't understand it until you're here how much nothingness there is"Billy says "you can't understand it until you're here how much nothingness there is"
The challenge is not just a physical one for Billy.The challenge is not just a physical one for Billy.
"Sometimes, when there's a lot of nothing stretched out in front of me, it's very mentally draining," he said."Sometimes, when there's a lot of nothing stretched out in front of me, it's very mentally draining," he said.
"Some days all you see is straight road with nothing around."Some days all you see is straight road with nothing around.
"You can't understand it until you're here how much nothingness there is.""You can't understand it until you're here how much nothingness there is."
Billy says he feels lucky that he has Lucy with him in the evenings, not just for moral support.Billy says he feels lucky that he has Lucy with him in the evenings, not just for moral support.
"I am terrified of spiders," Billy said. "And I've come to the worst place in the world for them."I am terrified of spiders," Billy said. "And I've come to the worst place in the world for them.
"If any spiders come in the van Lucy will be in charge of getting rid of them." "If any spiders come in the van, Lucy will be in charge of getting rid of them."
MND is a terminal condition that affects people's ability to move, talk and breathe.MND is a terminal condition that affects people's ability to move, talk and breathe.
Six people are diagnosed with it in the UK every day, according to Brain Research UK.Six people are diagnosed with it in the UK every day, according to Brain Research UK.
Billy is raising money for four charities which fund research into MND and support those living with it: Motor Neurone Disease Association and the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation in the UK, and in Australia FightMND and MND Australia. Billy is raising money for four charities that fund research into MND and support those living with it: Motor Neurone Disease Association and the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation in the UK, and in Australia, FightMND and MND Australia.
Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.