Jackie’s response: a 24-hour gym challenge

Photo: Jackie Keenan (R) rides with her dad, Craig, and sister Hannah

When Jackie Keenan’s dad was diagnosed with MND in 2025 she struggled with the inability to apply her natural problem-solving skills to an incurable disease. She soon found an impactful way to ‘do something’. Her story goes way beyond the incredible challenge of 24-hours on an exercise bike, illustrating the power of community, connection and support. 

Jackie Keenan describes herself as someone who likes to solve problems.

When her dad, Craig Keenan (64), was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in January 2025 there were tears, not solutions. “It was pretty hard to hear that’s what it was because there’s not a lot that you can do about it,” Jackie says.

With no cure and minimal treatments for MND, Jackie took on something many would say is crazy – a mammoth 24-hour exercise bike challenge. Her goal was to raise $3,000 for the organisation that personally supports her dad, Motor Neurone Disease NZ (MND NZ).

Planning the challenge

Firstly, she messaged her gym owner and coach, Komihana Mitchell with her idea. He immediately agreed the challenge was possible, confirmed +64 Fitness CrossFit gym in Wigram, Christchurch as a venue, and guided Jackie through the event organisation.

The 22-year-old chose an assault or echo bike for the challenge, which involves a person's arms and legs working simultaneously and increases its resistance the harder it is used. She says it is one piece of equipment most gym goers “hate”. For Jackie, it is one of her favourite machines at the gym.

Let it begin

She was excited as she climbed onto the bike at 8am on Saturday 04 October, ready to prove herself as she went through a huge physical challenge to make time count for people affected by MND. 

Twenty-four hours later, she was in tears as her parents and her sister rode beside her for her final 10 minutes on the bike, surrounded by her supporters with the Queen song ‘We are the Champions’ blaring.

Power and strength

MND NZ Support Advisor Jasmine Chua, who supports the Keenan family in their MND journey, says this incredible 24-hour fundraising effort highlights many important aspects of power and strength. 

“Craig struggles with the daily loss of muscle power due to MND and Jackie took up this incredible challenge at her gym to emulate MND's relentless toll on muscle power. This illustrated the power of connection with friends, family and fellow gym members; the power of social networking to spread Jackie's message and make time count; and the power of ongoing kindness, support and generosity of spirit,” she says.

Overwhelming support  

Hundreds of people came to support throughout the weekend, with many choosing to take up their own challenges to help the fundraising efforts.

About 11 teams took on the assault bike challenge with her. Others did burpees – bodyweight exercises in which a person jumps down into a press-up, then jumps up with their arms stretched above their heads. Her 15-year-old cousin also cut off her long ponytail in support.

With no sleep for 24-hours, and only mashed potatoes, rice, gels and an All Blacks’ match playing in the background to keep up her strength, Jackie was a powerhouse. But there were a few moments where she was worried the food would not stay down.

Thankfully, she didn’t need the bucket, but she did need tissues as she exploded with emotion towards the end. “I will never forget finishing and seeing so many of my friends and family there to support not only me, but Dad and our whole family. I’ve never felt support like that before,” says Jackie.

“It is incredible to know that we have so many people to lean on through the tough moments of this disease.” 

Craig’s MND journey

Motor neurone disease (MND) is an aggressive, terminal neurological condition that gradually takes away a person’s ability to walk, talk, feed themselves, swallow, and ultimately breathe.

Jackie’s dad, Craig, had trouble walking for three years before he was diagnosed. After going to a doctor in February 2024, it took almost a year to finally discover what was wrong. He has since left his job at a chemical cleaning factory and has slowly become less mobile. He currently uses a walking stick and has a wheelchair organised for when he needs it.

“It’s hard cause there’s no time frame, you don’t really know. As time goes by, I’m going to probably be confined to a wheelchair and needing increasing help to carry on… I’m trying to put that off for as long as possible,” says Craig

Outstanding result for support, education, advocacy and research

Jackie’s determined effort and support network saw her shatter her original fundraising goal of $3000, with the current tally sitting at more than $15,000.

It appears this has made her even more determined to keep going.

“Now that I’ve slept lots and I’m recovered, I’m stoked at how successful the fundraiser was and I’m starting to brainstorm what I can do next,” says Jackie.

MND NZ is grateful to Jackie and her whānau of supporters for their exceptional efforts to raise funds to provide personal support of those affected by MND, advocacy, education, and to support MND research.

Jackie’s fundraising page is fundraise.mnd.org.nz/en/jacqueline-keenan.