The Euan MacDonald Centre uses research to improve the lives of people living with motor neuron disease (MND) and related conditions.

Last year, our founder and friend, Euan MacDonald, sadly died after championing our centre and also “Euan’s Guide” for many years.

He is an inspiration to us all and this relay race fundraiser is a small tribute to him.

My mum, Ann, was also a huge inspiration to me and to others. Her final years saw her lose the ability to walk and to use her arms and hands as a result of peripheral neuropathy. She talked about Euan a lot in her latter months and I know she found his courage inspiring.

So, please support me and my team of poorly-trained-and-in-our-50s runners (me, Eleftheria Maravelaki, Stuart Hogg (not the rugby one) and Fiona Paterson) - in memory of Euan and mum.

What is MND?

• MND affects cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing progressive muscle weakness and eventual paralysis.

• It’s estimated that one in 300 people will be diagnosed with MND.

• There is currently no cure or effective treatment for MND and it’s usually fatal within 2-3 years of diagnosis.

• Famous people who had MND include Rob Burrow, Ronnie Corbett, Prof Stephen Hawking and Doddie Weir.

Our research involves:

• Conducting drug discovery and pre-clinical laboratory experiments,

• Developing large scale MND clinical trials,

• Training the next generation of MND researchers,

• Promoting awareness of MND by engaging with those with lived experience.

We hope that you will support the Euan MacDonald Centre and help to continue the vital research into this cruel disease.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLpQ3rhvKbA