On March 28th, I’ll be doing The Bath 30 challenge with our extended Higgins family, raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) in support of my cousin Eleanor, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) at the age of 34.

I’ve been very lucky to have grown up with my older cousin Eleanor. She’s always set the bar high - intelligent, witty and creative, the best storyteller, a talented musician, and a keen frisbee player. More than anything, she’s always had a way of making everything more enjoyable throughout our childhood and now. She now works as a software engineer and is a proud parent to lively twin toddlers.

Eleanor was diagnosed 18 months ago and describes the disease herself:

“MND is a 100% fatal disease that traps fully aware people in their own body. Imagine not being able to scratch your itchy nose, drink a glass of water, or stop yourself falling down the stairs. 1 in 300 people will get MND and there’s no cure. The MNDA helps MND sufferers to live with dignity and funds research to make this disease a thing of the past.”

The MNDA focuses on improving access to care, funding research, and campaigning for people living with or affected by MND across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Money raised supports both patients and research:

• £85 funds software for voice banking

• £750 helps fund a wheelchair ramp

• £1,000 pays for detailed analysis of a patient with MND to support research

I would be hugely grateful for any donation, no matter how small. Every contribution supports an incredible cause that means so much to our family. Thank you!! XXX