We are running the Reading Half Marathon on behalf of the Reading & West Berkshire Motor Neurone Diseased (MND) Association.
With MND, messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles. This leads the muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste. MND can affect 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.
MND is life-shortening and there is no cure. Although the disease will progress, symptoms can be managed to help achieve the best possible quality of life.
Our mother in law; Karen Murphy was diagnosed with MND in December 2021 and her condition has rapidly deteriorated over a short period of time. We have seen first hand how challenging and unfair this disease can be, not only to the person but also their loved ones.
Although there is no cure, there is support and care available to those who are living with the disease everyday, so we want to raise as much money as we can to ensure those who need it are able to get the care they need.
As the disease affects the muscles, everyday activities become a struggle; it can become impossible to shower, dress yourself, walk or eat / drink. This has such an impact on life both mentally and financially for the person and families. The MND Association are there to support but they need donations to continue the great work they do.
MND is not seen as a common disease; the progression of MND can be rapid, fewer people are living with this disease than you might expect with a 1 in 300 risk. This means the prevalence is low, with up to 5,000 people living with MND in the UK at any one time.
So please make a donation of anything you can afford as honestly every pound counts!
