When my good friend Simon was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) last year, I realised that I didn't know much about the disease. Sure, we had all enjoyed the ice bucket challenge craze a few years ago on social media, but not a lot of us knew exactly what we were raising money for.

In recent years, former rugby league player Rob Burrow, and his team mate Kevin Sinfield, raised the profile of the disease significantly, when the former was diagnosed at the young age of 37, and the latter embarked on a gruelling physical challenge to raise money for him and MNDA.

I have been filled with admiration at the strength and positivity with which Simon has embraced the challenge that he now faces. Read his blog - www.onethousanddays.co.uk - to see his musings and reflections on his journey.

So, inspired by Simon, his friends and brother who recently took part in the Ride 100 event in London/Essex, as well as Kevin Sinfield, and the tremendously sad passing of Rob Burrow at the weekend, I have resolved to run a marathon in aid of MNDA. On 6 April 2025 I will take part in the Brighton marathon, and it would be incredible if you could part with some of your hard-earned money to support this important cause.

Simon also has a gofundme page - https://gofund.me/b8628aa8 - which is for specific funding for him and his family, to help them explore alternative treatment options and pay for adjustments to their living arrangements. So if you would prefer to contribute to that instead, then please do so. Or, even better, contribute to both!

Thank you so much for your support for me, Simon, his family, and all sufferers of this horrible and currently incurable disease. Some information about MND here:

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. However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order.

Although there is currently no cure for MND, symptoms can be managed to help you achieve the best possible quality of life.

MNDA needs your support to help sufferers of MND.

£120 could provide an over-bed table, making it easier for someone with MND to eat, drink and read safely and comfortably in bed.

£280 could fund the coordination of care for someone with MND at a Care Centre for a year.

£500 could provide a tablet device with specialist communication software, allowing someone to communicate with loved ones.