Hiya, thanks for visiting our page. Over the last few years I have badgered you all for money for various charities, never realising that one day my family and I would need the help of a charity ourselves.

Back in February my Mum was diagnosed Motor Neurone Disease. I'm a disability adviser and though I had heard of the condition I never knew how devastating it was until my Mum was diagnosed.

MND is the pits; the little motor neurones that control your bodies function slowly die resulting in muscle weakness and eventual failure. It is a terminal condition and there is NO treatment or way to prevent its progression.

My lovely mum has fought and beat cancer and now motor neurone has stolen her voice and is now having a go at her body too.

Despite this she is maintains a level of dignity that you cannot imagine from someone with such a condition. The MND association has already provided my family with support and resources and sadly we know we will need to rely on them more and more as Mum's condition deteriorates.

I aim to raise as much money for our local branch of the MND association as possible. To repay them for what they are giving us and other sufferers and carers of MND.

But most of all we want to raise awareness of this cruel disease. There is a 1 in 100,000 chance of getting MND - I hope that a statistic that never applies to any of you and your families.

If you can't donate then please just sign the MND charter!

MND sufferers need wheelchairs, speech aids, personal care and feeding tubes. And research, we need a cure or a treatment - something, anything to help stop this disease in its tracks. There are so little funds given to support this cause, help us out.

I have asked the MNDA to donate the funds to our local branch - South Lancashire.

Thanks for your time

Sammy  & Nick (Sam's cousin, Toll's nephew - who is doing the tri too) xxxxx

Oh yeah and you can follow my training blog if you like too but I warn you it can get rude.

http://haventhadadreaminalongtime.blogspot.co.uk/

Sadly on 10th Dec 2013 my beautiful, kind Mum passed away peacefully in St Rocco's hospice after a short illness. The complications of MND meant she was unable to fight anything else.

We would like to thank everyone for their donations and support. We have been overwhelmed by all the love and messages we have received.

We are heartbroken but take comfort in knowing she is at peace and free of this terrible disease.

Sam x