Helen, my mother-in-law, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in April 2010 after suffering the symptoms for a significant period of time.  She died peacefully in November 2010, much to the heartbreak of her family and friends who, from her diagnosis to her death, looked on helplessly as the disease took hold.  MND is a disease against which there is no fight.  It is relentless, always terminal and in many cases, rapid. Sufferers gradually lose the ability to move, eat and breathe while remaining completely lucid.  No cause has been established and no cure has been found.  MND Scotland provide care and support to sufferers and their families as well as funding research.  Not an easy task, and made even harder by the fact that they rely on donations.  On the 7th October 2011 there will be a charity night in Greenock organised by Helen's sister Joan (ask Sonia for details).  I won't be able to attend for work reasons, which is just as well: I stopped trying to keep up with the Greenockians and their drink-a-thons since that disastrous 2nd of January 2007 when I puked all the way to Prestwick airport.  So, I have decided to contribute by doing what I do best: running!  I'll be doing the Munich Marathon on the 9th of October.  It may be a long way from Greenock but it's for a cause very close to my heart and your donations would be very much appreciated.

 

Grazie mille, ragazzi!