Thanks for taking the time to visit one of our two JustGiving pages.

Chris and I successfully completed Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk (192 miles approx.) on 7th August 2009, for two charities, Sheffield Institute foundation for Motor Neurone Disease and Macmillan . Unfortunately JustGiving is currently unable to sponsor more than one charity on one page, therefore we have had to create two separate pages.  We would be very grateful if you would split your donation between both charities by also visiting Macmillan as they have particular importance in my life at the moment.

Motor neurone disease (MND) was a disease I had heard of but I was ignorant of its effects until the beginning of 2008, when my Dad received an 80% certain diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease.  I discovered this to be one of the most tragic diseases I had ever come across.

"Motor neurone disease (MND) is the name given to a group of diseases which are caused by the death of motor neurones - the nerve cells through which the brain and spinal cord send instructions in the form of electrical impulses to the muscles...

In MND the motor neurone cells die, so the nervous system can no longer initiate and control muscle movement.  When muscles no longer receive the electrical messages they require to function, they waste away.  MND commonly affects the muscles controlling arm and hand function, walking, talking, eating, and breathing.

MND is a devastating, fatal condition.  Patients in the later stages of the disease may be incapable of moving and speaking and die from weakness and paralysis of their breathing muscles.  Many doctors regard this condition as the worst disease in medicine.

Over 5,000 people in the United Kingdom suffer from MND and three British people die every day from this condition. Only ten per cent of MND patients survive longer than five years.

At present there is no effective treatment for MND. Several therapies can ease symptoms which occur during the course of the disease.  Only one drug, Riluzole, has been shown to extend the survival of people with MND and this effect is only modest.  Ever since Charcot first described the condition in 1869, doctors and scientists have tried, without success, to find a cure for MND."

(Sheffield Institute foundation for Motor Neurone Disease)

Dad's diagnosis has not changed.  In exploring his condition further it was discovered that he had Cancer of the Ureter (in addition to his MND diagnosis) and has recently undergone major surgery to remove his kidney, ureter and part of his bladder.  Over the last 18 months I have felt pretty helpless as to what I can do to help those suffering with MND/Cancer and their families.  Walking the Coast to Coast was our attempt to raise awareness of and support two charities which are close to our hearts.  We are so pleased to have reached our original fundraising goal of £500 per charity.  The money keeps coming in which is incredible and makes us realise just how important every step of our walk was, despite aching limbs, fatigue, sore and blistered feet.  Every penny donated goes a long way to helping those who are suffering.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Please visit our Macmillan page here

http://www.justgiving.com/NoelleandChris-Macmillan

THANK YOU for your support!