I first became a volunteer when my dad was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) over ten years ago. I was only 15 at the time but I knew I wanted to help.
I started doing car boot sales and sponsored dance-a-thons, collections etc.
However as I got older I become conscious of how little was known about the cause and effects of the disease.
I realised I not only wanted to raise money but also raise awareness of the disease in the local community.
The Inca Trail
In 2003 I decided to trek the Inca Trail in Peru to Machu Picchu. This entails climbing mountains in extreme weather conditions ranging from tropical sunshine changing to snow in a matter of hours, in altitudes of up to 4,200 metres. Over the four-day trip I fell over and hurt my hip, developed altitude sickness and had blisters upon blisters. However on the last day I wore my MND t-shirt with pride. When I reached the destination I felt a great sense of achievement for not only completing the challenge but also raising awareness and over £1,200 for MND.
Moulin Rouge
The challenge I set myself next was to organise Moulin Rouge themed fundraising event held at a local hotel with everyone dressing up in top hat and tails and can-can outfits. I persuaded local companies to sponsor or donate items to the North Wilts Branch of the MND Association and I was pleasantly surprised at the generosity of so many people. At the event I made a speech and performed a dance routine with three friends, which absolutely terrified me, but the reception from the crowd was fantastic.
Hard work recognised
Both events were covered really well by the media, including a write-up of the disease in the local paper. I still feel proud that I had managed to highlight the disease and also amuse my friends by appearing in the paper dressed up yet again!
The Moulin Rouge event was recently honoured by winning “Funtastic Fundraising” at the regional MND Awards. For all our hard work to be recognised proved how much the MND Association appreciate all their volunteers’ efforts.
Sense of achievement
Volunteering has increased my confidence and given me a great sense of achievement. Along the way I have made lots of great new friends and have had many amazing experiences.
Witnessing my father learning new ways to cope with the deterioration associated with MND I have realised that people diagnosed with the disease face their own personal challenges every single day. I have also seen how money raised for the charity can help improve people’s quality of life so positively. To know that I, as a volunteer, have helped to achieve this is an incredible feeling.
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