Eddie’s birthday is Jan. 6, and we’re honoring him with this yearly fundraiser where fans can donate to the Motor Neurone Disease Association of the UK in his name. Donations go to important research and to supporting caregivers and families affected by this cruel disease.

Eddie won every major film acting award — including the Oscar — for “The Theory of Everything” and his vivid portrayal of Stephen Hawking, who defied science to live with the deadly disease for more than a half-century. Eddie’s intensely personal research into the effects of MND/ALS on its sufferers and their families led him to become a Patron of the Association.