In November 2022, I was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND). This followed a few years of knowing something wasn’t quite right even though every doctor or consultant who examined me told me I had nothing to worry about.

MND is a rapidly progressive terminal neurological illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This causes muscle weakness and wasting. MND can rob someone of the ability to walk, talk, swallow, and breathe. Today there are currently around 450 people in Scotland living with MND, with approximately two hundred diagnosed per year in Scotland. The average life expectancy is just 18 months from diagnosis, with 30% of people dying in the first 12 months.

There is no cure and no meaningful treatments.

Throughout my life I did everything I could to keep fit. At one time or another I swam, I played squash, I ran, I cycled, I hiked and even found a way for my job to keep me fit!

In my youth I was a competitive swimmer, winning many West District and Scottish Schools championship medals, culminating in a Scottish Championships silver medal for 100 metres butterfly. From my late teens to my early thirties I played squash, competing in local leagues and inter club matches.

For the best part of thirty years, I was a runner and took part in all sorts of events. I did countless cross country runs, hill races, 10Ks, half marathons, full marathons, long distance relays and several multi-day events. I always competed with my fellow members of Dumfries Running Club, enjoying their camaraderie as well as the competitiveness this brought. I am still proud of my personal best times and remind anyone who listens that my half marathon PB is 78 minutes and 2 hours 58 minutes for a full marathon.

In my mid-fifties, I went back to competitive swimming and won a Scottish bronze medal for 100 metres breaststroke. I also began road cycling which I continued until I began to experience some symptoms of what would later become MND.

Unfortunately, due to MND, I can no longer do any of these activities I enjoyed so deeply. However, I remain active, by going to the gym every week to maintain my strength and maximise my agility. Unfortunately, I now find walking difficult and can do so only slowly and with the help of a walking aid. In addition, MND is now causing my voice to deteriorate.

Having been so active, I find the limitations forced upon me by having MND very frustrating. The challenges of having MND have had an enormous impact on my life and on the lives of members of my family, particularly for my wife Anne who has assumed the role of my carer. Without this wonderful woman, I simply would not survive.

On the 25th May 2025, I plan to race in the Edinburgh marathon, in what may well be, my last ever race. However, unlike previous marathons I have raced, this will not be a solo effort. This time, I will be racing as a team with my son Andrew, who will be pushing me in a specially adapted wheelchair.

Andrew completed the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon in my honour, raising over £2000 for MND Scotland. Then in October 2024, he and I completed the Glasgow Half Marathon, with Andrew pushing me in the specially adapted wheelchair. Competing in the Glasgow half marathon allowed me to experience feelings I didn’t think I would get the chance to experience again. Andrew and I had so much fun in during the race, where we received a huge amount of support from our fellow runners and from people watching all along the route, that I turned to Andrew a few hundred meters from the finish and said we should do a marathon next time.

This time, with your help, we’ll raise funds for MND Scotland.

Following my diagnosis, MND Scotland has helped my family in all manner of ways. In addition to moral support, they have provided legal advice, practical guidance, equipment, and financial contributions. Without these resources, life would be considerably more challenging.

Most importantly the funds I raise will help fund vital MND research into treatments and a cure, and directly contribute to MND Scotland providing critical practical, financial, and emotional support to people affected by the condition.

MND Scotland is the only charity in Scotland dedicated to supporting people with MND and their families. It is entirely funded by donations and grants.

Since it was founded over forty years ago, MND Scotland has provided practical, financial, and emotional support to anyone affected by MND whilst also funding essential research into finding effective treatments and a cure. In addition, much of its day-to-day work is in making time count for people with MND and the loved ones supporting them.

Whether that’s helping families make memories through accessible holidays, grants to improve quality of life, or an Advocate to fight their corner and secure essential home adaptations faster, the charity is there to help. When time matters most, they’re a helping hand of support, so people with MND can make precious time count with the ones they love.

“Making time count is a principle that runs through the very heart of our organisation. Everything it does and the way in which we do puts the MND Community at its core.”

Rachel Maitland, MND Scotland CEO

For more information visit mndscotland.org.uk.

My family and I would be extremely grateful if you could contribute to my charity appeal.

Thank you.

Michael