First of all, thank you for visiting my fundraising page. 

We are running the 'Rob Burrow' Leeds MND Marathon to raise money and awareness for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA). 

We have all been affected by this disease whilst we supported my 'bessie mate' Roy who was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease in Feb 2020. Right at the start of Covid, the worst possible news at the worst possible time! 

I first met Roy at Sheffield Polytechnic where we played hockey together for many years and then stayed very close after we both left, me being his best man at his & Collette's wedding.

MND damages and attacks the nerves, meaning that messages being sent from the brain to the muscles no longer work. This leads the muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste. MND therefore affects how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. Some people also experience changes to their thinking and behaviour. However, MND affects everyone differently. Not all symptoms will affect everyone, or in the same order. Symptoms also progress at varying speeds, which makes the course of the disease difficult to predict.

This is a terminal condition!

MND is life-shortening and at present there is no cure. Although the disease will progress, symptoms can be managed to help achieve the best possible quality of life. 

Unfortunately, 1/3 of people succumb to MND within a year and more than 1/2 within two years of diagnosis.

With Roy, his progression was rapid and diagnosis to death was only 17 months. However, thankfully right up to the day he passed away Roy retained his ability to speak, his mind and razor sharp sense of humour were all fully in tact!

This will be my first marathon and, to be honest, if it wasn't for the connection to MND, something I would never have entered. This marathon may be a tough challenge but it's nothing compared to the pain Roy suffered during his illness and this is the least we can do to raise money and awareness for this cruel disease and pay tribute to Roy's strength and determination he showed whilst fighting MND.

The runners taking part are: Verity Jones, Tony Capstick, Philippa Capstick, Paul Holland, Anthony Benham, Janice Southway and Netty Rockley. 

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