Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page.

This cause is incredibly close to my heart.

I had an aunty who, in so many ways, was like a second mum to me. She played a huge role in raising me and my siblings. She was always there — kind, caring, and understanding, but also fiercely independent. She was someone you naturally looked up to.

Around the time of COVID, she was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Life changed overnight. She wasn’t given much time. MND has no cure, and people can lose their ability to breathe almost instantly.

Experimental treatments were available, and I choose to believe they gave her something priceless — time. And they gave us hope.

What struck me most during that period was how isolating MND can be. So much of the burden falls on families, and support is limited. Every day, six people are diagnosed in the UK. Their lives — and the lives of their families — are changed forever.

In May, I’ll run the Hackney Half Marathon in her memory. Running gives me time to reflect, to carry her memory with me, and to raise money for people and families who shouldn’t have to face this alone. I’ll be running just two days before my birthday — this is my birthday gift, not to myself, but to others in need.

Your support — big or small — would mean the world. Thank you.

Gage

Evoke are proud to be partnering with the Motor Neurone Disease Association as our UK ‘Charity of the Year’ for 2025.

The MND Association are a UK Charity dedicated to improving access to care, advancing research and advocating for people affected by Motor Neurone Disease.

The charity was selected following a colleague-led review of potential charity partners, and was nominated by Leisa Byers, evoke colleague and regional operations manager, whose niece Tamara was diagnosed with the disease at just 26 years of age.

In November 2024, we raised £117,000 at our inaugural ‘evoke the stars’ charity gala evening, hosted at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. Off the back of this, we are now excited to see what we can achieve together as an official partner of the MND Association for 2025.