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To say I was shocked at being diagnosed with motor neuron disease at the age of 46 was somewhat of an understatement. Having already lived through breast cancer and losing both parents to cancer in their 50s I had focused my life on making sure I was as physically and mentally health as possible. I had stopped drinking, didn't smoke, ate healthily, did all 'the right things'! Most of my life has involved outdoor activities and I owned horses for years, went trail running, climbed mountains and camped.

The lifetime risk for developing Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is 1 in 300. The average life expectancy is 3 years after diagnosis, one third of people die within a year. There are currently no treatments.

I have always been a busy and very independent person. Its a very cruel disease. I will progressively become weaker to the point where I am completely disabled, lose the power to even speak and then I will die of suffocation when my diaphragm packs in.

Sadly, this is a treatable disease but has been massively underfunded because its rare and people tend to die quickly and aren't around long enough to make a fuss. Doddie Weir, the famous rugby player who died last year of MND, was furious about this, so set up a Foundation in his name. 5 years ago, there was very little research or clinical trials, today there are numerous. I don't know know if any treatments will come in time for me, but they will for others in the future.

I am in the early stages of the disease, so I am keen to carry on Doddie Weir's legacy whilst I can.

(Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity).