Longton man marks year since MND diagnosis with charity walk

A Longton couple are marking one year since a devastating motor neurone disease diagnosis by raising money and awareness to help others affected by the condition.

Andrew and Joanna Chadwick had only recently moved from Buckshaw Village to Longton, near Preston, when Andrew was diagnosed with MND.

A year on, his mobility has worsened, he has had to stop working and Joanna now helps him with everyday tasks including getting dressed and showering.

But the couple have raised £5,146, launched a website called Living Positive with MND and are backing an 11-mile charity walk this Sunday to coincide with Global MND Awareness Day.

The walk, organised by Joanna’s dad, starts at 9.30am at Lytham Windmill, with free parking available across the road at Lytham Primary Care Centre in Victoria Street.

Joanna said: “There are people who've been affected, who have been carers who want to come and show support.

“We want to raise much awareness and much funds for this terrible, terrible, incurable disease.”

She said she and Andrew wanted to raise awareness of MND, which they feel is still not as widely recognised or understood as other serious illnesses.

MND affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing progressive muscle weakness. There is currently no cure.

Andrew said: “Since I got diagnosed with MND. It's a year on now. My mobility has got a lot worse, it's getting hard to walk.

“I have to get Joanna to help me get dressed in the morning. We've just had a wet room done so that's easier to have a shower now, but Joanna has to help me have a shower. I can't make a brew myself anymore. Can't drive.

“It affects people in different ways, but the way it's affecting me, is like I say, my legs have got weaker, my walking has got worse, my arms are getting weaker, picking things up, that's getting harder to do, but I try my best every day and keep going and live on the positive side of things.”

Andrew had to stop working in January as his condition progressed, but the couple decided to focus on fundraising.

They held an 80s-themed charity night at Longton VM Club, with support from local businesses and volunteers.

Joanna thanked everyone who helped, including DJ Danny Lee from Blackpool, Longton VM Club, Silver Turtle Photographs, Hot Pot Heaven and a friend who made a Living Positive with MND cake free of charge.

The couple have also launched livingwithmnd.co.uk, sharing information about MND, their own journey and fundraising events.

Joanna said: “We want to help other people. That they're not alone, that there is help, there is the chance of being positive and not giving up when you've got MND.

“Not just for MND, but it's all the neurology and different diseases and illnesses. That don't give up and live your life positive and that is exactly what me and Andrew are doing.”

Their long-term ambition is to create a support group for people living with MND, as well as carers and families, and eventually establish a charitable trust and centre.

Andrew said: “What I want to eventually get out of all this, this website and that, we want to build a centre where people can come.

“Not just people who have MND, people who are carers and to help people, because at the moment, there's nothing out there in Lancashire.

“You go to Yorkshire, you have the Rob Burrow Centre, but in Lancashire and in the North West, you don't have anything.

“So, eventually, I want it to be a charitable trust and I want it to be my legacy to leave, that we've done some good and we've given something back to the people who are living with MND.”

Andrew has also been chosen to take part in a poignant moment during Kevin Sinfield’s final 7 in 7 challenge later this year.

He is due to beat the drum seven times before Sinfield reaches the Old Trafford Rugby League Final in October.

Joanna said: “There's one person who is my inspiration and that's Sir Kevin Sinfield.

“I always said if there was one person in the world I could meet, it's Kevin.

“Andrew had been given the opportunity of a lifetime and will be Kevin's ever the last drum beat before he gets to the Old Trafford Rugby League Final. Andrew's being asked, to beat to drum seven times.

“That is just something I can't put into words.”

The couple are also planning another charity night at Longton VM Club in October, with a live singer, bingo and a raffle.