Firstly, a big thank you for taking time to read this page. I have found it impossible to imagine or find the words to describe how my dear friend Simon must have felt when he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) last year when he was just 41. He tells us in his own wonderful way about this devastating diagnosis and please see his incredibly brave post here: https://youtu.be/CD4pmc-J6Go?si=amZrsmjAJqs-9-Cc

Si and I have been mates for 20 years and he continues to be one of the best people i've ever met (great name too!) I know many of us will say the same about our dear friends but Si is genuinely one of the loveliest blokes about, he is truly one of the 'good guys', in fact one of the best and know he is a tremendous husband to Ria and fantastic father to their 6 year old son. He is one of those genuine people who will drop everything to help someone and there are simply far too many examples to list. Si is someone that always gives more than he takes and his infectious laugh and smile really do light up any situation. Despite the devastating news, Si continues to be this person and, whilst I’m not sure what the modern definition is, Si, in my opinion, is and will always be a true hero.

To my shame, I did not know much about MND before hearing Si's heartbreaking news. The following is a summary of the facts:

• Motor Neurone Disease is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.

• MND can leave people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk, swallow and eventually breath.

• MND affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time. There is a 1 in 300 risk of getting MND across a lifetime. It can affect adults of any age, but is more likely to affect people over 50.

• There is no cure or effective treatment.

To help change the last point and also to support people like Si, his brother, a few other friends and my mother will be attempting a 100 mile ride on 26 May to help raise funds for the MND association.

Thank you again for your time and any donations you are able to make will be so, so appreciated.

Love and health to you all.