The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has two aims: firstly, to raise funds for research into the causes of MND and investigate potential cures, and, secondly, to make grants to sufferers of MND and enable them to live as fulfilled a life as possible.

Motor neurone disease (MND) is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets worse over time.

It's nearly always fatal and can significantly shorten life expectancy, but some people live with it for many years. Motor neurone disease gets gradually worse over time. Moving around, swallowing and breathing get increasingly difficult, and treatments like a feeding tube or breathing air through a face mask may be needed.

The condition is nearly always fatal eventually, but how long it takes to reach this stage varies a lot.

A few people live for many years or even decades with motor neurone disease. There's no cure, but treatment can help reduce the impact the symptoms have on a person's life.

Treatments include:

• highly specialised clinics, typically involving a specialist nurse and occupational therapy to help make everyday tasks easier
• physiotherapy and exercises to maintain strength and reduce stiffness
• advice from a speech and language therapist
• advice from a dietitian about diet and eating
• a medicine called riluzole that can slightly slow down the progression of the condition
• medicines to relieve muscle stiffness and help with saliva problems
• emotional support for sufferers and carers