Nottinghamshire councillor makes every mile matter for people living with MND
A councillor from Nottinghamshire was given the chance to run around Nottingham Forest’s City Ground as he nears the end of a month-long challenge to raise money for charity.
Richard MacRae, a former mayor of both Stapleford and Broxtowe, has been running every day in January to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
The Association is the largest MND charity in the UK which supports people with MND, their families and carers. Every day in the UK, six people are diagnosed with MND – a terminal, neurological disease which affects the brain and spinal cord. There are no effective treatments, there is no cure.
Richard, who is a member of Stapleford Town Council and Broxtowe Borough Council, started running in June to help support his mental health. He will also be taking part in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in May in support of the MND community.
He said: “MND could affect anyone – it could be a neighbour, a friend, or a member of your family and I just felt I had to do something.
“I started running in the summer and it has just gone from there. I’d never even heard of a parkrun but I’ve now done 26 and I’m determined to keep going. It is really helping my mental health.
“Ever since I started this challenge, the messages I have received have been incredible. I’ve heard from lots of people who have been affected by this terrible disease, and the support has been amazing.
“Running around the City Ground was just the icing on the cake! I did some of my fastest runs around the ground and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity!”
Community Relationship Fundraiser Paula Black from the MND Association said: “Richard has done so much to help raise awareness of MND in his local area and we are so grateful for his support.
"In January, more than 4,000 people took part in the Run 31 Miles in January challenge and together they raised almost £500,000 which is just incredible – to our community, every step and every pound raised really matters.”
For more information, or to donate visit Facebook and search for Richard Danny MacRae.