30th Anniversary Celebrations

On Tuesday 6th October the Cheshire branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association took part in a national event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the MND Association with a Light a Lantern celebration.
Around 40 people met at the Methodist Church in Hospital Street, Nantwich to remember family and friends lost to motor neurone disease and to offer support for those living with the disease today.
Julie Williams, chairperson of the Cheshire branch, introduced Richard and Amanda Francis of Nantwich who, together with Katie Gibbons, successfully completed the Arctic Challenge in February and raised £13,000 for the MND Association in the process. Amanda and her brother, Richard, put on a slide show with images of their trip.
There was tea, coffee and a buffet while lanterns were lit for loved ones followed by music from 17-year-old singer, Jane Parry from Calveley and 16-year-old Jess Faulkner from Eccleston, near Chester. Jane sang a selection of songs including ‘Over the Rainbow’ and Jess played four short pieces on the trumpet.
Julie Williams thanked all those who had attended and said: “Today, there are around 5,000 people living with MND. Back in 1979 the same number were struggling to cope with the news of a terminal diagnosis alone. Thanks to the support of our dedicated volunteers we have come a long way since we were founded by a group of people determined to help those affected by the disease. Today, some 30 years on, we have over 3000 volunteers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In 1979 the Motor Neurone Disease Association raised around £20,000; thirty years later that figure is close to £20m. Our objectives, however, remain the same. We will always aim to provide relief for those suffering from MND and its associated conditions by providing financial support and other help and we will always promote research into the cause and possible prevention of the disease.”
The branch also raised £86 from the sale of raffle tickets on the night.

Caption: Left to right, Richard Francis, Julie Williams (chairperson), Jane Parry, Clare Ward (secretary), Jess Faulkner, Hazel Francis (volunteer co-ordinator), Amanda Francis.