What?
In 2021, the runners formerly known as Stranger Hamstrings will be running not one but a minimum of five half marathons, and in particular two official Royal Parks Half Marathons (11 April and 10 October), to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (mnda).

In addition - and as a consequence of needing to get (and remain) vaguely fit to be able to undertake this task - we will be clocking up at least 1000km of running between us and tracking this using some fancy technical wizardry (well, probably just a spreadsheet; but watch this space). So, to summarise, between March and October 2021:

Why?

Many of these people and services rely on charity and fundraising to keep their vitally important services and support to society running - and are highly impacted in times of economic turmoil and uncertainty. The mnda is one such charity.

MND is an awful disease, and research and progress to fight against it is seriously under-funded. The work mnda do to support families affected by MND through improved care and research is so important. 

The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association was established in 1979 by a group of volunteers who wanted to co-ordinate support, guidance and advice for people affected by this devastating disease.

Your support will help mnda to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will also help fund and promote research, and to campaign and raise awareness so the needs of those affected by the disease are addressed by wider society.

Please help us to raise both awareness and some money in support of this important charity.

Thank you.

Shane, Steve, Will


What is MND?
Motor neurone disease (MND) is a fatal, rapidly progressing neurological condition affecting up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time. The disease causes messages from nerves (motor neurones) in the brain and spinal cord that control movement to gradually stop reaching the muscles, leading them to weaken, stiffen and waste. The result is that people become locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk and eventually breathe.

Some may experience changes in thinking and behaviour, with a proportion experiencing a rare form of dementia. MND does not usually affect senses such as sight, sound and feeling.

MND kills a third of people within a year and more than half within two years of diagnosis. It affects all communities, with a person’s lifetime risk of developing MND around 1 in 300. Today six people will be diagnosed and six will die from MND. There is no cure.

Who are mdna?
The Motor Neurone Disease Association is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland focused on improving care, research and campaigning. They have over 9,000 members forming a powerful network that provides information and support for people with MND, their families and carers.

mnda funds and promotes research that leads to new understanding and treatments, and brings us closer to a cure. They campaign and raise awareness so the needs of people with MND are recognised and addressed by wider society.

Basic facts about MND:
https://www.mndassociation.org/about-mnd/what-is-mnd/basic-facts-about-mnd/

Infographic: https://www.mndassociation.org/app/uploads/2017/07/mnd-association-key-messages-infographic.pdf

Key facts about MND: https://www.mndassociation.org/about-us/who-we-are/mnd-key-facts/

Remember: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never share them with anyone or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. They'll make sure Gift Aid (an additional 25%) is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer, too. That means more money goes to the charity, faster, with JustGiving.