The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, founded by rugby legend Doddie Weir, has donated an additional £100,000 to MND Scotland and £200,000 to the MND Association of England Wales and Northern Ireland, to support people living with motor neurone disease (MND).
Doddie, who first shared his MND diagnosis in June 2017, has pledged to help others living with the rapidly progressing terminal illness, as well as funding for vital research into finding a cure.
To support families currently affected, the Foundation has committed annnual funding to MND Scotland and the MND Association, since 2018.
The Foundation also made one-off donations to the charities in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, taking its total contributions to MND Scotland and the MND Association to £380,000 and £670,000, respectively.
The new funds will be used by both charities to help families across the UK cover some of the financial burden that comes with a diagnosis of MND, through their grant programmes.
These programmes aim to help reduce some of the extra costs that come with living with MND. The grants can be used in various ways, for instance; to help with costs towards home adaptations, such as ramps and stairlifts, for specialist equipment to live life more independently, and for respite activities for carers and families.
Jill Douglas, CEO of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “We are delighted to continue and further strengthen our relationships with MND Scotland and MND Association by working with both these charities to support people living with motor neuron disease.
“This commitment, by Doddie and the Foundation, to help patients and their families, is one of our main strategic goals and we look forward to sharing our plans for the future in the coming months.
“Our ability to offer grants to families, through the existing frontline care charities, is only possible through the amazing contribution of our fundraisers and supporters and we’d like to thank everyone who has helped and supported us, you inspire us every day!”
Adrian Murphy, MND Scotland’s Chair, said:“I’d like to thank the Foundation for its ongoing support of our grants programme which allows us to provide essential support to the families affected by this devastating disease.
“Since his own diagnosis, Doddie has raised an incredible amount of awareness by sharing his personal journey with MND, and through his Foundation has raised vital funds to support the cause. By continuing to work together we can help make life a little easier for people living with MND right now.”
Sally Light, Chief Executive of the MND Association for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said:“We are really pleased and grateful that Doddie is channelling money raised by his Foundation in the last year into our care grants programme once again, ensuring it goes directly to people affected by MND who desperately need it.
“We have a long-standing and comprehensive programme which we know makes such a difference and support like Doddie’s and that of his Foundation’s supporters is vital to us continuing with that.”
Football supporters dig deep in memory of one of their heroes
Supporters of Falkirk Football Club, and those of other clubs across Scotland, have come together to pay their respects to former player David Hagen who sadly passed away last month after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided.
David Hagen played with Rangers, Hearts, Falkirk, Livingston, Clyde, Peterhead and Bo’ness United.
As part of Falkirk’s regular 50/50 draw, supporters raised £3267 for MND Scotland to support the charity to fund vital research and support services for those affected by MND.
David began his footballing career locally in Falkirk before earning big moves in the senior game to Rangers and Hearts respectively. He joined Falkirk, and was a popular figure among the fans with a notable assist for Paul McGrillen in the 1997 Scottish Cup Semi-Final win against Celtic. David played 173 games for Falkirk over five years before continuing his career with Livingston, Clyde, Peterhead and Bo’ness United.
David’s Former Manager Alex Totten, along with his daughter Rhia Hagen presented a cheque to MND Scotland’s Chief Executive Craig Stockton.
Falkirk FC’s Commercial Director Kieran Koszary said: “The backing shown by Falkirk supporters, and those of other clubs, is a great testament to how highly David was thought of by everyone who knew him.
“We were grateful for the opportunity to pay our respects as his funeral cortege passed the Falkirk Stadium but also to make this donation to MND Scotland. We know the charity will work tirelessly on behalf of people like David and to support others affected by this terrible condition.”
Former Falkirk Manager Alex Totten said: “David fought a courageous fight against MND and will forever be remembered by everyone associated with the club. He was a good friend and a fantastic footballer and he’ll be greatly missed by his family but also by the friends he made along the way in his football career.
“The memories I have of David in the Challenge Cup Final against Queen of the South and his inspired performances in the 1997 run to the Scottish Cup Final will never leave me. He will be sorely missed.”
Accepting a cheque on behalf of the charity, MND Scotland’s Chief Executive Craig Stockton said: “We very grateful for this extremely generous donation and I would like to everyone who helped raise such a fantastic amount.
“Without supporters like this, we would not be able to continue providing essential physical, financial and emotional support to families affected by MND across Scotland, or fund cutting-edge research to find a cure.
“This is a wonderful tribute to David. During times like these, people with MND and their loved ones need us more than ever, so these funds will go towards helping us stay connected to families to ensure no one goes through MND alone.”
Greta Auld (73), from Pencaitland near Edinburgh, was diagnosed with MND in March 2019. Now she’s sharing her experience of MND and life in lockdown to help raise awareness of the terminal illness.
The retired police secretary, and grandmother of five, has always been a constant pillar of the community. A widow with two children at the age of just 29 years-old, Greta was forced to be fiercely independent her whole life.
While wanting to keep her independence for as long as possible, family members and local village friends have stepped up to support her when needed. Since her diagnosis of MND, Greta has kept a positive outlook and cannot wait for ‘shielding’ restrictions to lift so she can get back out in the community and live life to the fullest.
Greta said, “Before lockdown I was going out about four times a week. I have a wee electric scooter, but I haven’t been out on it for months! I was still driving my grandkids to their swimming and doing wheelchair bowling at the local women’s club, where I am also the secretary.
“I helped run the Scouts for over 20 years and was involved in a local lunch club for older people – although now the 85-year-olds help me off the bus,” she joked.
“I’ve always been heavily involved in the community and have loads of friends through this. So not being able to get out of the house these past few months has been hard. It’s difficult not getting to see the grandkids as much but they are getting down to visit me now. I just can’t wait to get around the village again and see what’s been going on the past three months.”
Greta added, “Thank goodness for my wee westie Maisie, she has been such great company during the last few years. As I became more disabled and not able to take her on walks, a really good friend now takes her every morning during the week, and a neighbour’s daughters take her at weekends.
“I am so lucky to live in a village and be well supported by everyone. She is such a friendly wee dog; she loves everyone and all my carers spoil her.”
Greta has also found MND Scotland’s Video Support Group particularly helpful, enabling her to stay connected to others affected by MND during the pandemic.
“When they were running, I went to the MND Scotland Support Group in Edinburgh. I loved it. That’s just the kind of person I am. I want to get involved and meet people – that helps me. I know other people don’t want to go to things like that, but I’ve found it very helpful going to meetings. It affects us all differently and yet the same.
“We’ve moved online to a video call every week. They are so good and very informative. Everyone is really upbeat which makes a difference. We’re a happy crowd – we’re not sitting in doom and gloom. All you can do is keep a good attitude and try to stay as positive as you can.”
Diagnosed with MND in 2019, Greta was initially thought to have had a silent stroke, first realising something was wrong in early 2017.
“I noticed the left-hand side of my body was getting really weak. I remember visiting my friend in Canada and was in her swimming pool, but I ended up just swimming in circles because my left leg wouldn’t work! I looked awful silly, but you have to laugh at these things as well.
“I then had a number of trips and falls so decided to go and get checked out. My family were very shocked when we were told it had been a stroke. However, as time went on, my symptoms were getting worse instead of better, so I went back and was referred to a neurologist.
“I wasn’t all that surprised to be honest. My hands had been shaking for a long time so I thought it might be Parkinson’s or something similar, but my family were absolutely gutted when I told them. They had just gotten their heads around it being a stroke and were now being told it was MND, which was an even bigger shock to them.
“I was quite upbeat when I told my children, George and his wife Susan, and Lynda and her husband Derek. It took a while for it all to sink in. I think my daughter in particular found it really tough. She was just devastated. I think it must be difficult for them to see their parent going through this.
“It’s only now that it’s really sinking in for me, as things start becoming more and more difficult. I’m getting slower and weaker but the way I see it you just have to battle on and keep going. I try to be as positive as I can and see the fun in life wherever I can.”
Since the beginning of lockdown Greta has noticed a change in her symptoms, but is continuing to get the support she needs: “Staying indoors definitely hasn’t helped my mobility. I have noticed my symptoms progressing. I used to get massage therapy and physiotherapy until they stopped because of coronavirus.
“I think that’s slowed me up too. I’m just not getting the same amount of exercise. Even going down the steps at my front door was good movement which I can’t myself anymore, so we are trying to get something sorted to help me get down more easily, like a ramp.
“I currently need help to get out of the house, so it would make a big difference to be able to get down the steps by myself. My world would open up again. I’ve been in this house for 50 years and I don’t want to have to move – this is where my family memories are.
“As I’m on the government’s shielding list I’ve been getting good support and am using the online shopping delivery slots which has been a huge help. I’m very lucky. I’m used to being independent so even though friends and family help a lot I don’t want to bother too many people.
“I now have a cleaner and a gardener, and I have carers coming in in the morning, at teatime and in the evening – I can always have a good laugh with my carers as they are from the local village too. The most important thing for me is trying to keep my independence for as long as possible.”
Craig Stockton, MND Scotland’s Chief Executive, “I’d like to thank Greta for bravely sharing her story, especially during these uncertain times.
“For people living with MND, time with loved ones is precious. Social-isolation measures, while essential, have placed huge restrictions on the care and support many rely on every single day. Even basic companionship, like having a friend or loved one pop round to say hello.
“That’s why we launched our new services hub, to help us stay connected to families in Scotland, so no one has to go through MND alone. ‘MND Scotland Connected’ at its core provides one-to-one phone support, video support groups and emergency financial grants.
An Edinburgh woman who lost her partner to Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in November 2018, has been reunited with her mother, who is now facing the same rare terminal illness in a nursing home in north-east England.
In June last year, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation donated £100,000 to support MND Scotland’s Grants Service to help people affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND) with the financial burdens the disease brings.
International rugby player, Doddie Weir, who was diagnosed with MND in 2017, has now announced his foundation will up this contribution with another £50,000 donation towards MND Scotland’s grant scheme.Continue reading Doddie ups donation to MND Scotland
Yesterday was Global MND Awareness Day, and dinner was held last night in memory of MND campaigner Gordon Aikman to raise funds for MND Scotland. A host of celebrities came together in the fight against Motor Neurone Disease at the “Gordon’s Fightback Dinner”, a tribute to the inspirational Gordon Aikman.Continue reading MND Fightback Dinner celebrates inspirational Lucy Lintott
