Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I'm running my first marathon in support of the MND association and in memory of my Grandpa. 

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.  The disease leaves your sense fully functional, in the example of my Grandpa - a proud ex-military man with a young active mind - this must have been extremely hard.

The MND association supported my Grandpa extraordinarily well, equipping him with tools to improve his quality of life which included a Steven-Hawking-esque speech box (which facinated me as an inquisitive 6 year old).  The charity also provide valuable awareness and research and depend almost entirely on voluntary contributions.  This is what donating can achieve:

£10 -  provides each newly diagnosed people with a vital information pack

£20 - annual storage of 28 DNA samples for future research

£35 - buys a specially adapted cutlery set

£50 - funds laboratory equipment for a day's research

£150 - funds an MND expert researcher for a full day

£200 - provides respite care for a day

£250 - buys specialist PC equipment to enable somebody to continue working

£500 - funds the installation of a stair lift

I'm aiming for a very ambitious time of 3hrs 30, which is an avarage of 8 mins per mile (Most beginners aim for 4 hours).  I'd like to have a bit of motivation so feel free to offer an extra donation should I hit my target!  Don't worry, very unlikely I'll make it.  I'll refund anyone who requests it if I go slower than 4 hours too, and pay MND myself...

Thanks in advanced for all your kind donations,

Andy

 

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