Thank you for taking the time to read my fundraising page.

I have the two loveliest neighbours you could wish for; Pat & Roger.  They were always active either glacier walking, biking holidays or something exciting to say the least.  That was up until nearly 5 years ago when Roger was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).  I have to admit at that time I hadn't even heard of MND!  

In case you too are not familiar with the disease; MND is a fatal, rapidly progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.  People can still think and feel, but their muscles refuse to work, leaving them locked in a failing body, unable to move, walk, talk and eventually breathe.

Although there is currently no cure for MND, MNDA's vision is a world free of MND and are committed to playing a key role in the history of ending MND by funding and promoting research.  Until then, they will do all that they can to enable everyone with MND to receive the best care, achieve the highest quality of life possible, and die with dignity.

Since Roger's diagnosis I have been trying to gain a place in the London Marathon to run for MNDA to raise awareness and much needed funding.  After 5 failed attempts now, I have finally secured a place in the Brighton Marathon on Sunday 6th April 2014.  So a dream that I have had for 5 years is actually now a reality...I mean I am actually going to run a marathon *squeal*.  This reality also brings the realisation that this is 26.2 miles, twice as far as I have ever ran before!!  Perhaps it should be more *oh crap* rather than *squeal*...I'll let you know on 7th April 2014!

This is where you all come in.  Yes it is great to run and raise awareness for MND, however it is mainly for the funding they so desperately need.  My last race was the Bath half marathon in 2010, which I managed to raise £1350 for MNDA.  It would be absolutely awesome if I could raise even more this time.  So please if you can donate and help support MNDA I would be so grateful.

Every donation makes a difference to a person living with MND.  Here are just a few examples of how your donation could help:

£10 provides an information pack for a newly diagnosed person with MND.

£25 runs the MND Connect support and information line for an hour.

£35 buys an adapted cutlery set to help someone with MND continue to feed themselves.

£50 funds laboratory equipment for a days vital research into finding out the causes of MND.

£75 funds an MND expert researcher for half a day.

£110 funds a specialist communication app for a tablet / ipad / laptop.

£200 provides a basic level of respite care for a day.

£250 buys a specialist joystick to enable someone to continue working.

£550 funds the installation of a straight stair lift and initial six months rental.

£1,000 buys a riser recliner armchair to help maintain a level of mobility for those who can no longer stand unaided.

£3,200 buys a Lightwriter to give someone back the ability to communicate with their loved ones.

Again thank you for your time in reading my page.

Sarah

xx