We were honoured to be awarded a BBC Lifeline Appeal, which was broadcast in October 2024 and presented by our patron Charlotte Hawkins.
James, Maggie and Eoin appeared in our appeal. The trio all live with motor neurone disease and have received vital support from the MND Association.
James
"Having the option of being able to apply for grants through the MND Association has definitely taken a weight off my shoulders." - James
James’ connection to the MND Association started when he fundraised in memory of his Nan who died from MND.
Tragically a few years later, James was given the news that he was now facing the same devastating diagnosis.
James had only just retrained to become a barber – a job he adored – and he soon had to give up working as his MND began to affect his hands and arms, making it impossible to do his job safely.
Knowing how his MND might progress, James and his wife Carly knew they needed some extra financial support.
The MND Association was able to provide grants towards future-proofing their family home, which enabled them to install a wet room downstairs and make it wheelchair accessible. The charity also provided funding towards family days out so James and Carly could continue making memories with their three young children.
Maggie
"The Motor Neurone Disease Association go so much further than anything else I’ve ever known. They recognise that your children, or your grandchildren, may need counselling. It’s the peace of mind that you know those people are being cared for." - Maggie
Before being diagnosed with MND in 2021, Maggie was an award-winning gardener and loved nothing more than attending her local line dancing class with friends. Sadly, because Maggie’s MND has weakened her hands and legs, she is no longer able to tend to the garden she loves or take part in her dance classes.
Making memories with her beloved family has been a key focus of Maggie’s since being diagnosed. To help with this, the MND Association provided Maggie and her family with memory making ideas and opportunities. Maggie’s grandchildren received memory boxes, filled with activities to capture precious memories, and the family attended the MND Association’s recent family day at a local theme park.
Knowing that her grandchildren can also benefit from tailored counselling, funded by the MND Association, helps bring Maggie peace of mind for the future.
Eoin
"The MND Association has helped us immensely throughout all those difficult times and they have been a lifeline for us." - Jenny, Eoin's wife.
Eoin was diagnosed with MND in June 2020, less than a year after his daughter was born. Life for Eoin, his wife Jenny, and their two young children changed in an instant.
More than 80% of people with MND will experience communication difficulties while living with the disease, so Eoin made the decision to ‘bank’ his voice soon after his diagnosis. After spending several days recording himself reading specific words and phrases, the MND Association funded the cost of turning those recordings into a digital version of Eoin’s voice – complete with his distinctive Irish accent. Eoin now relies on his digital voice to communicate, and as a result is still able to join in with family conversations and bedtime stories.
Funding vital MND research
"By carrying out research, we can understand why motor neurone disease happens and then make an effective therapy that can just stop it." - Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi
As well as providing to support for people affected by MND right now, we are investing in cutting-edge MND research to find effective treatments, and ultimately a cure for MND. Currently, the Association’s research portfolio has a value of almost £21.5 million across more than 120 grants. Over 250 researchers are involved in the research we fund, and Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi from Kings College London is one of them.
