The South Yorkshire Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Association) supports people throughout South Yorkshire affected by MND, whether they are a person living with MND, a carer, a family member, or a friend.
The volunteers running the branch have a lot of experience with MND but would like to hear from others who may want to become involved. We welcome new ideas and suggestions.
The branch committee meets regularly to discuss the various issues around finance, care & support, communication and fundraising.
Chairman
Dr Andrew Gibson
Vice Chair
Julie Ward joined the branch committee as Vice Chair at the start of 2023. Her background is NHS Management but she took early retirement in 2014 when her husband was diagnosed with MND.
Treasurer
Paul Hebblethwaite
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 07729 118590 (Mobile) or 01142363222 (Home)
Paul has kept the accounts for many years.
Secretary
Assistant Treasurer
Kirsteen Booy
Was welcomed onto the committee in 2019.
Kirsteen has a career background in accountancy and is an additional source of help with the branch finances.
Branch Visitor
Brian Jackson
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01142 653774 07467242232
Brian is also Grant's Administrator. Please contact Brian to apply for a Quality of Life, Young Person's, or Carer's support grant through the branch.
Branch Contact
Ann Quinn
Email: [email protected]
Ann frequently talks to people newly diagnosed, about the support that is offered locally and nationally.
Webmaster
There is a vacancy for this post. We would welcome enquiries from any volunteers
Our Patron
Suzanne Phillips accepted the post of Patron of the South Yorkshire Branch some years ago. Suzanne is a writer of children's books and works with her mother Eve who also writes. Suzanne has been living with MND for 20 years and was inspired to write about fictional characters "where anything can happen" when her own boys were young. It's given her hope and motivation to carry on, watch her boys become young men and not let MND bring her down.
Visitors
We have trained Visitors in some areas who are able to keep in regular contact, either by visiting people at home or keeping in touch by telephone, text, or email. Please contact Jayne Thompson Area Support Co ordinator [email protected] for more details.
Fundraising
Fundraising is a really important aspect of the work of the branch. We are one of a number of branches and groups of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Charity number 294354.
Fundraising by others makes a big difference to the support we can give.
If you are arranging your own fundraising event let us know in plenty of time and we can advertise it here on the website, on Social Media, or in our quarterly newsletter.
We can often assist with resources. Fundraising online is simple by using our Branch JustGiving page.
Julie Ward [email protected] and Trevor Peacock [email protected] meet regularly with other members of the fundraising group to plan Events throughout the year. They would love to expand this group with more willing volunteers to help fundraise. Please get in touch for a friendly chat about how you could help.
Support Grants for People affected by MND
The money raised by us, and others through fundraising and donations are used in a variety of ways to support people affected by MND. There are three different Support Grants that the branch can administer. We have guidelines to follow for funding grants, but generally, if we can help we will. Contact Brian Jackson at [email protected] for more details. He will supply you with a form and he will also help complete the grant forms for the branch on your behalf.
Raising awareness and sharing information are very important. Our newsletters are available on the website and we post out and electronically distribute hundreds of copies each quarter. If you know anywhere we can display them please let us know. Sharing news, information, or personal experiences can be useful to others. We are happy to add your photos or articles to this site. Alternatively, you can just pass on the details you want to share and we'll put something together for you.
Cath Groom: Cath has been a volunteer on the branch committee longer than any other member. Cath also set up the first Rotherham meeting over 20 years ago and has brewed more tea than any other branch volunteer.
Publicity: We currently have a vacancy for Publicity Officer.