I'm Sue O'Grady, a very good friend of Chris and his wife Maureen, and I want to do anything I can to help them raise funds to purchase and install all of the disability aids Chris needs to help him maintain his independence and continue to live in his own home. Chris has Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Thank heavens for BBC Breakfast TV and Sally Nugent who interviewed the now famous Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Trio, Doddie Weir, Steve Darby and Rob Burrows back in March 2019. That morning, my friend and her husband were watching TV and, when Steve Darby showed his arms, Chris instantly said "that's my hand and arm". Chris was having a little difficulty with his left hand and arm but put it down to his joinery work and laying a lot of laminate flooring, he thought a bit of rest would sort it - Wrong!!

Up until that time, Chris and Maureen knew very little about this disease but booked an appointment with their doctor who immediately referred Chris to a neurological consultant. Although the consultant thought it could be MND, he booked Chris in for several neurological tests at Sheffield in order to confirm a diagnosis. This was an extremely worrying and stressful time for them both. The only information available to them was from the internet and that was terrifying - the bottom had fallen out of their world.

COVID, and the first lockdown, saw the appointments cancelled until June/July when a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) was confirmed. During the four months after seeing Doddie, Steve and Rob, Chris's mobility had deteriorated drastically and he had lost the use of his left hand and arm. Being a left handed person this has completely changed his life and made working for a living impossible. If I needed any work with building work at home Chris was always my 'go to man'. He could do practically anything.

Being unable to work to earn a living his wife Maureen has begun selling off his heavy duty power tools to help raise money; she was also concerned that Chris would try to do some jobs and hurt himself as he has always been a very hard and willing worker. It's come as a big shock to realise that they now have no way of earning a living to purchase everything they need for Chris.

Over the past four weeks I have called in to see Chris and Maureen and have been shocked at the speed of Chris's deterioration. He has lost a lot more muscle tone, has now developed a stoop which in turn impacts on his breathing ability. MND is considered to be a rare disease. The motor neurones in the brain die off and no longer send signals to the nerves and muscles which causes the deterioration. It can significantly shorten life expectancy and, unfortunately, eventually leads to death with the disease progressing very rapidly. There is no cure for MND.

Chris, aka Sprotbrough's Own Santa, will be unable to do his rounds this year, much to the disappointment of many children in Sprotbrough and the Doncaster area. Chris was born and bred in Sprotbrough and now lives in the village on Melton Road. Over the past few years Chris and Maureen have built a two storey extension and done extensive work on the house but now that work has come to an abrupt halt due to a lack of funds, and at a crucial time when Chris cannot complete it all himself.

To make it possible for Chris to stay in his own home, with Maureen to look after him, he needs to buy and install a through floor lift, a wetroom, a large automated door with ramp access and various other disability aids to help Chris maintain his independence for as long as possible.

Chris tells me that the MND Team based in Sheffield and Doncaster have been absolutely amazing in terms of help, advice and support but that is all in respect of his medical wellbeing. Chris now needs help with his mobility needs.

As their friend I want to do as much as I can to help them but can't offer much in terms of financial help. However, as a 73 year old granny of 3 and a Harley Davidson rider, the one thing I can do to offer them support is my time and energy. To this end, I am going to do a sponsored motorbike ride of 1725 miles as follows:

1. Doncaster to John O'Groats - 512 miles

2. John O'Groats to Lands End - 837 miles

3. Lands End to Doncaster - 376 miles

The ride is planned for the weekend commencing Friday 15th October. I will be accompanied by my best friend Judy, a two year old West Highland White terrier, a fellow biker and a back up vehicle.

Please help me to help them and offer any support or financial help you can and follow me on Facebook - Sue O'Grady.

Thank you so much for reading Chris's story and following our journey, it is very much appreciated.