MND is a fatal disease of the nervous system and can affect any adult at any age.  It attacks the nerve cells (motor neurones) that send messages from the brain to the muscles.  As these motor neurones gradually die, the muscles stop working.

Every day, more damage is done and the body slowly deteriorates.  MND can destroy the ability to walk, talk, dress or swallow. People with MND live their lives totally  dependent on others for their most basis needs however their minds and senses are rarely affected.

Though the rate of progression varies, life expectancy after the first onset of symptoms is just 2-5 years.

My mum is 58 and has Motor Neurone Disease.  Over the past year (maybe even before her diagnosis in March 2005) she has gradually lost the strength in her legs, is now unable to walk any distance having to use a wheelchair, has to use a light writer loaned by the MND association to help her communicate with us and has a tube fitted into her stomach to enable her to receive sufficient fluids and nutrition.  From being an active and talkative (it was sometimes hard to get a word in edgeways) who was always doing something for someone else she is now becoming more and more dependant on others.

Currently the cause of MND is unknown and there is no cure.  The only outcome is death.  Quite hard to deal with when it is your family that's being affected.

We don't know whether our fundraising efforts are going to help my mum personally but it is vital that a cure is found for this devastating disease and, whilst we wait for this breakthrough, provide the MNDA with the funds to continue their vital work.  

From September 7th to 11th 2006 my husband Mick, brother Nigel and myself joined the Mont Blanc Challenge with the aim of raising thousands of pounds for the MND association. Details of this challenge can be found on the MNDA website www.mndassociation.org.

We Did It !  

We are now back from the Mont Blanc region safe and well.  We have met some lovely people all of whom had a connection with MND and wished to raise much needed funds for the association and raise awareness of this terrible disease.  We also had a wonderful time albeit it very challenging   -  sharing stories (and beds ) , aches and pains  , lack of oxygen  and of course,  laughs . 

We hope in the near future to be able to invite all of our friends, family and sponsors to a film showing of our adventures in France – more details to follow.

Please don't think it is too late to sponsor us and pass our story to everybody you know.  Donating through our website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Motor Neurone Disease Association will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

or donations can be sent direct to: Sharon c/o Summerhill Surgery, 243 Margate Road, Ramsgate CT12 6SU or  to Mick c/o Ramsgate Glass, 103 Margate Road Ramsgate CT11 7SX.  Please make cheques payable to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

We have as a couple decided that any expenses relating to this trip will be met personally by ourselves so you can be assured that all monies donated will go direct to the MNDA.

Another £433.11 to add to the pot

Thank you to all those who attended our Strawberry Tea and Garden Fete on Saturday 1st July 2006 - boy woz it hot ! - to those who helped with baking cakes, preparing and serving refreshments, to those who looked after the various stalls and a huge thank you to my friends of the Ramsgate Salvation Army band for providing the music and making the afternoon perfect. 

£4406 RAISED IN JUST ONE DAY !

We are ecstatic to announce that our Grand Charity Auction yesterday (29.4.06) raised a grand total of £4406 (yes we do mean 4 thousand!).

£1441 has been sent directly to our local branch of the MND association (East Kent) and the remainder to the National Office with a request that this money be earmarked 50% for the East Kent Area and 50% for research into this terrible disease. 

A huge thank you to all those who made this day possible -  those who donated wonderful gifts and all those who helped on the day to ensure things ran as smoothly as possible.

Many thanks for your support.

Love and Best Wishes.

Sharon and Mick Cairns