On 26th November 2025, our dad, Scott, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease aged 57.

For us (Beth and Alex), our mum, and our dad himself, everything completely upended itself. What came after was a blur of appointments and tests, and the kind of questions you’re too afraid to ask out loud.

For a disease like MND, there’s no opportunity to reverse or halt the progress. Medication can only slow it by a matter of months, and for many — including our dad — it causes sickness that makes taking it unsustainable. The words Motor Neurone Disease carry a certain heaviness; you feel like there’s no going back on the cards you’ve been dealt. Our auntie Jo’s mum, Irene, was diagnosed also with it aged 62 , and sadly passed away within 2 years. This makes MND something that’s touched our family more than once. It’s a cruel disease, and we’ve witnessed firsthand how it affects both the individuals and the people who love them.

However, on 2nd April this year, our dad’s seemingly final diagnosis was replaced with a question mark. Recent tests have thrown doubt on the conclusiveness of MND, putting us in a unique position where we can afford to think the outcome might be different. There’s a glimmer of hope, even if it’s a small one. And we know how rare this is.

It’s been a rollercoaster — one that’s not over yet. We’ve experienced firsthand how devastating this disease is. But we’ve also had some incredible support from the Motor Neurone Disease Association along the way, who have been absolutely vital in helping us get to grips with what we are facing — and might still face. Not only do they help families like ours come to terms with the diagnosis, they fund potentially life changing research that means those 3 letters might one day not be so final.

Our dad is dealing with what is, and still could be, a diagnosis that will never fully come to terms with. But, regardless of the outcome, we want to give back to the people who have made facing it that bit more manageable.

With that in mind, Alex and his uncle Steve (Jo’s husband and Irene’s son-in-law) are completing The Golden Miles walk in 1 day: 35 miles through 20 villages in the Peak District, with a cumulative ascent higher than Ben Nevis.

Starting at the crack of dawn on 20th June 2026, they’re walking for our dad, Irene, and the MND Association — one day before Global MND Awareness Day.

It’s been a scary and overwhelming journey, and we don’t have the answers yet, but we hope you can help us fund more life changing care and — one day — come closer to providing a cure.

Any donations, however small, are so appreciated.

Thank you,

Beth & Alex

**UPDATE**

Just a couple of weeks out of the 35 mile walk for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, training is going well. Alex, Steve and Jo have completed 14, 16 and 20 miles scouting out the route so far!

While the weather across the UK has been lovely over the past few weeks, it’s proven a tricky environment to train in. The sizzling heat has given Alex an unfortunate t-shirt tan, but it’s also given everyone determination that - on the day - they’ll be able to conquer the challenge whatever the weather.

We have a mammoth 25 mile walk coming up later on this week, and Dawn and I (Beth) will be joining. Let’s see if our stamina holds up!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve also had some brilliant coverage of the event from the Sheffield Star (link) and the Wakefield Express (link). For my dad, further tests have been inconclusive. Unfortunately the diagnosis of MND remains the same, but there is more to be explored. We can’t express how grateful we are for all the support we’ve received from everyone. Every donation, however big or small, will make a real impact for people suffering from MND:

£10: provides an information pack for a newly diagnosed person with MND, so they know what to expect and how to access support

£27: funds an MND Connect helpline advisor for one hour, allowing them to provide information and support for anyone affected by MND

£75:funds an MND expert researcher for half a day, helping us to better understand the disease

£160: will buy a specialist communication app enabling someone who has lost the ability to speak to continue to communicate with others

£200: provides 40 copies of our guide for young people who are affected by MND: So what is MND anyway?

£600: funds a seat riser, allowing someone with MND to raise their wheelchair so that they can reach shelves and talk to someone at eye level

£750: helps to fund a wheelchair ramp, allowing someone with MND to continue to enjoy their garden and access the local community

£1000: will pay for detailed analysis of the DNA of someone with MND, to support our research

£2,250: provides a text to speech device, to give someone with MND the ability to continue to communicate with their loved ones

£4,000: Funds a person with MND to participate in a clinical trial for a year, brining us closer to a cure.

As you can see, your donations have already potentially made a huge difference for someone who will receive the terrible MND diagnosis. While there might not be a cure in our lifetimes, you’re helping vital research that may one day mean the prognosis is not so final. And for someone diagnosed today, you’ve made what is always a life-changing time that bit more manageable.

We’ve all been overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness and generosity. Words don’t really do it justice. But we’re going to try and show it on 20th on June. We’re more motivated than ever to raise awareness and funds for this important cause.

Important: we’ve had a few questions about ways people can support us on the day. If you’d like to join us for a section of the walk, get in touch with us and we can share the best points along the way!

Thank you,

Beth