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LocationHertfordshire
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ContactHetty Smith and Christine Carter
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Phone
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Welcome to the Hertfordshire Branch
Welcome to the Hertfordshire branch of the MND Association. We are here to provide you, your family and the community a broad range of support, as you live with this disease.
This includes friendship, access to various resources, regular contact opportunities, fundraising activities and support for National campaigns highlighting awareness of and the impact of MND.
The Branch is run entirely by volunteers and provides a vital link between the National Association and the local Hertfordshire community. Our aim is to make a positive difference to people affected by MND by:
- Visiting with those living with MND, providing support and information to you and your carers.
Trained Association Visitors attached to the Branch provide personal and direct contact with those living with MND. They offer support, help, and guidance to those living with MND and their families. They can help with navigating the way through the health and social care system.
- Fundraising to pay for equipment not provided elsewhere, and to contribute to things that provide quality of life such as transport, therapies or holiday costs.
- Raising awareness of the disease through the local media, our newsletters and this website.
- Playing an active part in networking and building relationships locally with health and social care professionals, to influence and improve services for people with MND.
- Holding regular, informal Open Meetings where people with MND, their carers and families have various opportunities to meet other people living with the disease and share experiences.
If you are interested in volunteering with us to help make a difference to people living with MND in Hertfordshire, please do not hesitate to contact us.
If you are living with MND or are a family member/carer, we are able to provide support and advice – please get in touch.
Contact Details:
For those living in North Herts (north of Hatfield), please contact Christine Carter:
Email- christine.carter@mndassociation.org. Tel: 01462 883450/07935 724384
For those living in South Herts (south of Hatfield), please contact Hetty Smith:
Email - hetty.smith@mndassociation.org. Tel: 01462 630195/07930 462870
Annual report
Please find the Hertfordshire branch 2025 annual report here.
Fundraising
We enjoy raising funds for our local Branch to help with the care of local people affected by MND and to provide support for carers and families.
A variety of fund-raising activities have been carried out throughout the years, including :
- Collections at local supermarkets and train stations
- Street collections in local towns
- Bric-a-brac Stalls
- Attendance at local events, such as Stevenage Day
- Quiz Nights
- Musical Concerts
Upcoming Events
Latest News
For more information about the different events and activities organised by the branch in order to provide support, raise awareness, and fundraise on behalf of people living with MND, please read our latest newsletter or contact us.
Past Events
Support us at Folk At The Orange Tree
Once Again Baldock Folk Club have chosen the Hertfordshire Branch of the MND Association as their Charity at their Annual Folk at the Tree Festival.
Please come along and join us for an Afternoon of Live Music from Local Musicians Including Our Own Viv Lucas.
The Event Takes Place on Sunday 24th August from 2 - 7.30pm At The Orange Tree Pub, Norton Road, Baldock SG7 5AW
Our walk to D'feet recap
The weather was far more kind to us in 2025 after giving us a good drenching in 2024. A total of 31 supporters attended the Walk at Stanborough Lakes in Welwyn and had the pleasure of a gentle one-mile stroll around the North Lake. Some familiar faces as well as new ones joined us along with several of our four-legged friends. The local wildlife were out in numbers; Swans, Ducks, Moor Hens, Coots and Geese including a number of Goslings being held in firm control by their mum.
There was a Raffle held where, not surprisingly, the prosecco and cake prizes were the first to go and overall the day raised in excess of £500 for the Branch. Special mention to the family of our Committee Member, Hetty, who turned out in numbers to support the walk and as ever many thanks to all those who came along for a coffee, a chat and a walk to support the Hertfordshire Branch.
Lauren makes our branch proud at the London Marathon 2025
As mentioned in our March newsletter, Lauren Petchell undertook her third major fundraising event in support of her father, Mick Grimsdale, who she describes as her hero and the bravest person she knows and who has been living with MND since 2015
Raising awareness and funds for the MND Association will never be a one off thing for Lauren and her family, as they sadly know first hand the devastating affects the disease has on its sufferers and those around them.
Lauren ran the London Marathon in just over 5 hours and raised an incredible £8,864.00 which will be split between National Office and the Hertfordshire Branch.
We are hugely grateful to Lauren for undertaking the London Marathon – she and her brother, James have already applied for places for the 2026 event.
Thank you, Lauren for all you and your family do to raise awareness and fundraise for us. Words cannot express how proud we of you and all you do.
Molly successfully takes on Brighton Marathon for MND Association
Molly Sykes – as mentioned in our last newsletter – ran the Brighton Marathon in support of her father, Mark who is living with MND having been diagnosed in 2022. As Molly says, watching her Dad lose his independence as the disease progresses is heartbreaking, but through it all, he’s shown incredible strength and resilience.
Molly also arranged for the MND Association to be the recipient of a charity day at a recent Saracens vs. Gloucester rugby game. Saracens rugby club were keen to help raise as much money as possible, so they interviewed Molly on the pitch and shared the event on their social media. All the fans were excited about the prizes and keen to support such a worthy cause.
Molly's family also met lots of people who have been affected by MND too and shared their stories. Molly’s fundraising total for these two events is over £7,140.00, being shared by National Office and the Hertfordshire branch.
We just want to say a huge thank you to Molly for all she has done in support of her father and our branch.
MND Connect
MND Connect is more than just a helpline. MND Connect offers people access to a quick route to get advice, practical and emotional support and directing to other services and agencies.
MND Connect is available 9am till 4pm Mondays to Fridays. Calls to this number are free from landlines and mobile phones within the UK and are confidential and do not appear on itemised bills.
The service is for:
- People living with MND
- Carers
- Family members
- Health and Social Care Professionals
- MND Association staff and volunteers.
MND Connect can:
- Give information about MND and how to cope with symptoms
- Give medical, social, practical and financial information
- Offer help and advice
- Put you in touch with an Association Visitor, local Branch/Group or Regional Care Development Adviser
- Advise on the services the MND Association can offer
- Send you leaflets and information sheets
- Put you in touch with other appropriate services
MND Connect is made up of a team of experienced staff and volunteers who work closely with our local and regional services.
Contact MND Connect on 0808 8026262 or email : mndconnect@mndassociation.org
Gazebo for hire
The Branch has recently acquired a Gazebo which can be borrowed, subject to availability, for a small donation to Branch Funds. The Gazebo is green, 3 metres x 3 metres, it has two side panels if required and can be easily erected by 2 people. Please contact christine.carter@mndassoication.org or Hetty.smith@mndassociation.org for more information.
Branch Committee
Chairperson - Lindsey Lucas
Vice Chair and Secretary - Stuart Barrett
Treasurer - Heather Hurley
Branch Contact - Chris Carter (North Hertfordshire): 01462 338450 & Hetty Smith (South Hertfordshire): 07930 462870
Committee Member - Maria Watson
Committee Member - Grant Cameron
