This year I took a big leap and applied for a place in the London Marathon in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA). To my shock (and slight alarm!) I have been fortunate enough to gain a place for Saturday 24 April...

So now the hard work begins - both in terms of training (!!) and fundraising! I am hoping to raise £3000 for the MNDA to help them continue their work supporting people with motor neurone disease, campaigning for better care, and funding groundbreaking research.

Motor neurone disease has had a profound impact on my family. My mum, Gill, was diagnosed at the end of 2020. This followed the death of her brother, Paul, from the disease in the decade earlier. We are still all coming to terms with what this means for our family.

Motor neurone disease is a life-shortening disease that affects the nerves controlling movement and which causes progressive muscle weakness. Over time, most people with the disease lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. There is currently no cure, and the average life expectancy from diagnosis is typically two to three years.

My mum is six years into her diagnosis, so she is beating the odds. We are fortunate that she has been able to access a new genetic therapy called tofersen, which is providing hope to some people with MND and their families. The support she, and we, have received from The Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) throughout her illness has been incredible.

Every donation makes a difference:

£10 could pay for lab analysis of 50 samples, to see how activity of a gene might be changed when a person has MND.

£35 could buy a memory box for a child to create lasting memories of a loved one with MND.

£100 could help a person with MND read to their children even when their voice is beginning to fail, by providing a voice amplifier.

Thank you for your support!

Debbie