Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

We are all running the Great North Run to raise money to support the FABULOUS charity Motor Neurone Disease Association – MNDA, in particular the Oxfordshire Branch who provide AMAZING local support to both people with MND and friends and family

Our Stories

For Siobhan and me, our dad was diagnosed in August of 2009 with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).  He had just 10 weeks with us before this cruel illness took him from us.  We are doing this for Dad and to say thank you to the MNDA for their support to us all, not just during the short time between diagnosis and his death but afterwards as well.  Anna lost her Grandmother 18 years ago and for the last 15 years her parents have been heavily involved in our local Oxfordshire Branch providing support both personally and training others to provide support to sufferers, carers, family and friends

Your Donation

Your donation can make a world of difference to someone with MND.  It takes time to organise items that can make life easier and time is something a sufferer does not have, as we found out.  The local branch can use the money that is donated to provide items rapidly and so give immediate help.

We have set the high target of £3000 because this would help the Oxfordshire Branch purchase an Assisted Cough Machine.  This helps a sufferer, like my dad, who has weakened chest muscles to cough, thereby reducing the risk of developing a chest infection which could result in hospitalisation.  This is disruptive for everyone and more costly in terms of care.

What is MND?

Motor Neurone Disease (ALS in the United States) is the name given to a group of related diseases affecting the motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord. 

Motor neurones are the nerve cells along which the brain sends instructions, in the form of electrical impulses, to the muscles. Degeneration of the motor neurones leads to weakness and wasting of muscles. This generally occurs in arms or legs initially, some groups of muscles being affected more than others. Some people may develop weakness and wasting in the muscles supplying the face and throat, causing problems with speech and difficulty chewing and swallowing.

MND is a steadily progressive disease, but the rate of progression varies greatly from one person to another. MND is not contagious but the cause of MND is not yet known and as yet there is no cure. 

What do MNDA do?

MNDA provides care and support to people with MND, enabling them to live their lives to the full. This includes loaning essential equipment, training Association Visitors and running a national Helpline.

The Association promotes scientific research, and provides funding to specialists seeking to understand, find treatments and ultimately cure the disease. Research is expanding and many key projects are supported in the UK and elsewhere.

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 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.