Brother and sister from Sutton set up motor neurone disease group in memory of their father
Darren Marshall and Sam Walters pictured with photographs of their late father Robert
A BROTHER and sister from Sutton have set up anew group to raise awareness about motor neurone disease (MND), a degenerative condition which claimed their dad.
Darren Marshall and his sister Sam Walters have set up the Ashfield MND Awareness Group in memory of their father Robert Marshall who lost his five-year battle with the disease in 2007.
Describing the condition, Darren said: “They can’t move, eat, drink or talk but mentally they are still exactly the same which is why it is so difficult to deal with. It is also hard from the family.
“My father was a person who did not want to give up - he wanted to live.”
Now, Sam and Darren are planning a fundraising event at Skegby’s Rose and Crown pub on 6th October from 8pm.
During the event, there will be competitions, quizzes, a leg wax and a raffle with top prizes.
Darren and Sam hope the event will be the first of many and they say the cash generated will be used to fund research into the disease.
Meanwhile, Darren and Sam also want to publish a book which details their father’s battle with MND, along with their own accounts of living with it.
“My father kept a journal over his life and we are hoping to publish it. Alongside his account, we have got our own accounts,” says Darren.
According to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the condition affects motor neurones in the brain and spine leading to weakness and wasting of muscles. It leads to loss of mobility and difficulties with speech, swallowing and breathing.
The MND Association offers advice on living with the condition for sufferers and carers. For details visit www.mndassociation.org.
A Facebook group set up by Darren and Sam has already attracted around 600 members. For details search for Ashfield MND on Facebook.
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Wednesday 22 May 2013
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