MND Matters Motor Neurone Disease Association

"One of the things we’ve said is - as long as we laugh more times than we cry, we're winning.”

Carers of people with motor neurone disease (MND) often face significant emotional and financial challenges.

In this episode, released during Carers Week 2024, Martyn shares his personal experience as an unpaid carer for his wife Anna, who was diagnosed with MND in May 2023.

As part of our MND Guarantee campaign, we are calling on the next government to do a full review of the support currently available to unpaid carers. Unpaid carers are the backbone of support for people with MND, and the financial support they receive does not reflect the contribution they make. We want this to change.

You can urge your MP candidates to sign the MND Guarantee by taking part in our e-action – it will only take a few minutes.

Sports journalist and West Yorkshire branch patron Tanya Arnold sits down with Chief Executive Tanya Curry, who recently marked one year in post at the MND Association. I In this episode, Tanya discusses her tenure so far, her passion for supporting people affected by MND and her ambitions for the Association in 2024 and beyond.  

Have you seen our new awareness campaign, The Love Inside? In this episode, host Helen chats to the MND Association’s Director of External Affairs Chris James to find out more about the awareness campaign, the reasons behind exploring TV advertising for the first time in years and what the Association hopes to achieve from The Love Inside.  



Also on the podcast is Mike and Zoe Sumner, who many of you might remember from Episode 9 of MND Matters: Dating after diagnosis. Mike and his wife Zoe star in some of The Love Inside adverts and they tell us what it was like to be involved and their hopes for the campaign.  



You can watch our TV ad here.

In this thought-provoking episode of the MND Matters podcast, Yvonne Johnson, living with MND, and author Liv Little, whose dad died with MND in 2022, talk to the Association about some of the cultural challenges around navigating the disease.  

 

Join us as we learn of some of the challenges around representation and medical support for people of colour in the MND community. While Yvonne shares her incredible story and the ways she’s trying to bring about change, Liv tells us about her dad and his journey with the disease, who she was caring for while writing her debut novel, Rosewater.  

 

To find out more about the Association’s inclusion work, click here.

 

We’d love to hear more stories from underrepresented people in the MND community. If this sounds like something you’d like to be involved with, contact communications@mndassociation.org  

In this captivating episode of the MND Matters podcast, Academy Award-winning actor Eddie Redmayne takes the reins as he sits down with the incredible Lesley Connor, an MND Association volunteer whose unwavering dedication has spanned two decades.

Join us as we explore Lesley's journey, from her various roles within the Association to her current position as an MND Connect Helpline volunteer. Throughout this heartfelt conversation, Eddie and Lesley delve into the challenges, triumphs, and the immeasurable impact Lesley has made in the lives of individuals and families affected by motor neurone disease – shining a light on the vital role volunteers play across the country.

Tune in and be inspired by Lesley's passion, resilience, and selflessness as she shares her experiences and the work carried out by the MND Association. Get ready for an episode that will broaden your understanding and remind us all of the power of community. Eddie and Lesley, the stage is yours.

If you would like to volunteer for the MND Association, click here to find a role that suits you.

This month's episode was recorded on location at the very first Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, which took place on Sunday 14 May.

Our Press Officer, Ally, was roaming the course, Headingley Stadium, our charity tent and reception room to speak with some of our incredible runners and supporters, both pre and post race. You'll also experience the atmosphere when Kev and Rob crossed the finish line together. Listen in to get a sense of the occasion.

We have guaranteed charity places for next year's Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, click here to sign up!