With MND, messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles. This leads the muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste. MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. It is a cruel death sentence that slowly takes a victim’s life away from them in the most dreadful way imaginable putting sufferers, and their families, through a horribly traumatic ordeal.  

My family have worked in the care industry for many years so I have seen first-hand the devastation MND creates. Unfortunately, over the last few years I have also had friends affected. The latest high profile sufferers such as Rob Burrow, Doddie Weir and Stephen Derby have also brought MND into the public eye recently. 

All of the above has prompted me to do something to try and raise funds and awareness for the MND association. 

The MND association has 3 key directives; 

1- to improve care for sufferers;

2- to fund research; and 

3- to raise awareness.

I will be doing a 24-hour squash marathon on Friday 1 May 2020 running from 6pm at Harrogate Squash Club. Players can pay a minimum donation (based on 20-minute time slot) in order to play me over the 24-hour period. Anyone who has ever played squash will appreciate that just 24 minutes on a squash court is hard enough. 24 hours will be painful but a mere drop in the ocean compared to the challenges and pain faced by sufferers of MND, and their families. 

Any donation that you can afford to make will help contribute to fighting this cruel disease and support those currently living with it. 

If you can find the time to come down to Harrogate Squash Club on the day that would also be fantastic. We will be running various other events, a BBQ (on the Saturday) and a raffle to raise as much money as possible.  More details will be posted on my just giving page as and when they materialise. 

If you would like to play me at the marathon please call Harrogate Squash Club on 01423 536464 and they will be able to get you on board. 

Thank you so much for your time reading this and for any donations I am eternally grateful. 

Thank you

Ross

A special mention must go to St Margaret's Homecare who will be sponsoring the event. St Margaret's provide home care service for the elderly and anyone suffering from conditions such as MND and MS. They also provide specialist end of life care for families at their time of need. 

St Margaret’s will also be kindly donating for every use of my "super sub" option over the course of the marathon. The super sub will enable me to grab a quick 20-minute shower and a refuel of food every 5 hours. 

http://www.stmargaretshomecareharrogate.co.uk/index.html

My "super sub" will be Simon Myring of Myrings estate agents, another business that has very generously offered to sponsor me. They will too will be donating for every time Simon steps in to take a slot whilst I refuel and freshen up. 

https://www.myringsestateagents.com