Omaze launches £4million West Sussex beach house prize draw backed by Eddie Redmayne
Eddie said: "Ten years ago I became patron of the MND Association having learnt about the devastation of motor neurone disease while researching and filming the Theory of Everything. I was struck by the brutality of MND, and how it robs so many people of a future with their families in the cruellest of ways. Every day in the UK, six people are diagnosed with MND and six people die from it.
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ITV News
4 hours ago
- ITV News
Friends and family of former footballer Stephen Darby walk 156 Miles for Motor Neurone Disease
Hundreds have joined a grassroots football tour across the North to raise funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND), in support of former footballer Stephen Darby. Over the weekend, more than 200 people are taking part in the charity walk across the North West and Yorkshire, raising money for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation. The 156-mile walk aims to support those living with Motor Neurone Disease and to help fund crucial research into finding a cure. The event, which starts and ends at Ossett United near Wakefield and includes stops at more than 20 football clubs — among them Leeds United, Farsley Celtic, Bradford City, Bradford Park Avenue, Brighouse Town, FC Halifax Town, Rochdale, Bury, Radcliffe, Horwich RMI, Atherton Collieries, Trafford, Altrincham, Stockport County, Hyde United, Stalybridge Celtic, Droylsden, FC United of Manchester, Oldham Athletic, Longwood, and Huddersfield Town. Mike Wilson, Derby MND Foundation event lead, said: "We've been trying to emulate the hard work that Rob Burrow, Kevin Sinfield and Doddie Weir have done in rugby, and to get football to recognise MND in the same way — and to support one of their own in Stephen." He added: "The support we've had in the last two years has been fantastic. We have around 230 people taking part, some walking five miles, others doing 30 or 40. "Bradford City, where Stephen had such a fantastic career, can't do enough for him. People are really starting to understand just how horrific MND is — and right now, there's no cure and it's underfunded. We have to do more.' Stephen Darby, who was diagnosed with MND in 2018 and now uses a wheelchair, remains central to the foundation's mission. Mr Wilson continued: "Stephen's still the driving force behind this,' Wilson said. 'He's still making the decisions and he's just an inspiration to us all.' Among those taking part was Gary Scott, who played for Altrincham between 2000 and 2008. He walked in memory of two former teammates lost to MND. "I played with Mark Maddox, who was at Altrincham for 10 years. He handled the illness head on — just like he played," Scott said. "There's also George Melling. It's unthinkable — two lads from one squad of 16. That's why we do things like this, so we don't forget them and so we keep pushing for a cure. "The donations are great, but raising awareness is just as important. I only know about MND because of what Mark went through." Stephen's wife, Steph Houghton, also joined the walk — completing more than 18 miles from Atherton to Altrincham with family members. "I've not sat down for the last six hours so I might be sore later," she said, 'but it's been a fantastic day. I'm very proud to be able to contribute in some way, because there are some amazing people who've done a lot for the foundation.' Steph described the support as 'overwhelming' and said it means the world to her and Stephen. "Sometimes it's hard for us to participate, but for me to do this with the rest of our family — and for Stephen to be at the finish line — is super special. We can't thank everyone enough." She added: "We're okay. I'm not going to say everything's good, because it's not. Everything changes every day — that's what this condition does. It's forever a challenge.' "We won't stop until that cure is there. We probably aren't even close, which is disappointing — but we just have to keep doing what we're doing.' So far the Grassroots Football Tour for MND have raised £25,000.
Cambrian News
6 hours ago
- Cambrian News
Cyclists to set off from Barmouth on 330-Mile ride for MND
Justin said: 'To offer my support during these difficult times, a team of great friends and I have been putting together challenges and events to help raise much needed funds for the charities which have been supporting Davy during his MND journey.
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
‘How do you cope with death sentence?' – England cricket icon David Lawrence reveals ‘torture' of slow decline with MND
DAVID LAWRENCE knows he is going to die. He does not know when, but he knows it will be soon. Last year, when Lawrence received a shattering diagnosis of incurable Motor Neurone Disease, his life was heartbreakingly changed. And shortened. 7 7 7 Former England fast bowler Lawrence - known throughout cricket as 'Syd' - is confronting his illness with remarkable positivity and stoicism. He even says he is lucky in some ways because of the support of his wife Gaynor and son Buster. Yet the impact has transformed his very existence. Lawrence, 61, has been one of cricket 's great characters - a heart-on-the-sleeve speedster and an extrovert with a booming voice. Now he has written a book in which he recalls how a broken kneecap ended his England career, being the last bowler to dismiss his hero Viv Richards in Test cricket and his subsequent careers as nightclub owner and bodybuilder. Most of all, though, it is about his MND. It is emotional, inspiring and tough to read at times. Lawrence writes: 'My physical deterioration over a number of months has been a painful experience. I have got weaker and weaker and can do less and less. 'First, it was the removal of the ability to move myself from one place to another, then it was things like being able to wash and use the toilet. 'The ability to hold a knife and fork and bring food and drink to my mouth then started to wobble until it became impossible. "Holding the TV remote control was another small thing that gave me some independence and now that has gone, too. Emotional moment that David 'Syd' Lawrence uses a recording of his voice to thank charity cricket match 'I needed some help getting extra oxygen into my lungs at night, so I had a machine to help me with that. I now require that help during the day, too. 'I knew this is what I had to look forward to, but the reality is far more painful than I imagined. 'My voice has got so weak now that it is all but gone. I am having to use the automated voice bank that I programmed a few months ago when I was still strong enough to say words clearly and with a bit of volume. 'The computer is operated by a screen in front of my face and it tracks my eyes so that the cursor moves as I look across the keyboard and I can spell out the words that I wish to say. 'Once I have my sentence completed, then it speaks it out loud for me, in my voice. It is a very clever bit of kit. I can also use it to send messages directly on WhatsApp, which has given me back some independence when it comes to communicating with friends. 7 7 'When it comes to the loss of my voice, I knew this would happen. But it has been quicker than I expected. This disease has no class. It has no empathy. 'Bit by bit, I'm being stripped back. But what can I do? 'My real concern now is swallowing, which has become harder and harder as the muscles around my throat have become weaker. Even the act of taking on water is not straightforward. Swallowing, like breathing, is a fundamental part of living. 'This is where the disease leads. Losing my ability to walk seemed like the worst thing. I initially thought I could take up something like wheelchair rugby. Maybe even the Paralympics. 'But, after the diagnosis, I realised I wouldn't be able to stop the disease from attacking other parts of my body until nothing worked any more. 'Watching the continued slide is so hard for those closest to you. I wish I could just give Gaynor a big bear hug and tell her it will be OK. I can't put my arms around her and show her how much I love her. 'I am feeling hopeful I still have enough time to enjoy this summer because the cricket season brings the weather I love.' Lawrence lost the use of his legs last year and spent weeks in hospital undergoing tests before MND was confirmed. He added: 'All I could think of were images of the former rugby league star Rob Burrow and how he was at the end. A fraction of the size that he used to be. Unable to talk, move or express himself beyond a computer. 'How do you cope with what is effectively a death sentence?' **In Syd's Voice - The Extraordinary Life of Dave Lawrence is published on Thursday. A minimum of £0.50, evenly split between the MND Association and the Cricketers' Trust, will be donated for every copy sold. 7
