Fifteen years ago, at the age of 51, my dad died from MND. It’s a cruel disease, and watching it ravage him is something I will never forget. Next September (2026), I’m running the Great North Run in aid of the MND charity and in memory of my dad. My aim is to raise £500, but I’d love to raise even more.

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.

MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order.

Although there is currently no cure for MND, symptoms can be managed to help you achieve the best possible quality of life.

We need your support.

£120 could provide an overbed table, making it easier for someone with MND to eat, drink and read safely and comfortably in bed

£280 could fund the coordination of care for someone with MND at a Care Centre for a year

£500 could provide a tablet device with specialist communication software, allowing someone to communicate with loved ones