In October 2010 a friend of mine (of over 25 years) was cruelly diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), at the age of just 36.

MND destroys the cells in the brain (motor neurones) which control muscle movement throughout the body. All types of MND are terminal, my friend was given a life expectancy of 2-5 years.

There is no cure for MND at the moment. People who have MND do not get better, it is a progressive disease. This means that people get worse over time. As muscles cannot be used, they weaken and waste away and people gradually lose the ability to use their arms, legs, eat and eventually breathe.  

Gareth is an amazing father to 2 young children, husband, son, brother and friend. He won’t get to see his children grow up, go to University, get married etc. From hereon in, time is the most precious commodity they possess.

The cruelty of this disease means people with MND will not experience any changes in their brain or personality.  Unfortunately this means they are all too aware of what is happening to them whilst the rest of their body is shutting down bit by bit. 

MND affects everyone differently, it is very unique to the individual and these changes can happen over a very short or long period of time. 

Because it is so individual, nobody knows exactly what causes MND, and although research is going on to try to find out, there is a very long way to go. 

As this disease has progressed over the last 2 years, Gareth has become completely dependent on care and attention of his wife and family. Normal everyday tasks we take for granted have been taken away from him.

In the last 20 years there has been a lot of research into MND and scientists from all over the world are trying to find out what causes the disease so they can find a cure. About 2 people in every 100,000 are diagnosed and there are about 5,000 at any one time in the UK with MND. 

The only way to find a cure is to increase awareness of this terrible disease and raise funds to enable dedicated people to research what causes it.

 

I have chosen to carry out this challenge in the hope that it can raise much needed awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and the devastating impact it has on people and their families. 

I am not asking for you to dig deep into your pockets (although that would help!), all I’m really asking is that you help me spread awareness, in the hope that one day they can cure this terrible disease.

Thankyou for taking the time to visit the site, please keep in touch with my progress and show your support.

A massive thankyou from me and most importantly from Gareth and his family.