Student Honours Late Father with Marathon to Raise Funds for MND Scotland

Abbi Noone, a 21-year-old from Gourock, Renfrewshire, will run the prestigious TCS London Marathon on 27 April 2025, to honour the memory of her father, Mark, who battled motor neuron disease (MND). By taking on this challenge, she aims to help other families affected by the disease by raising vital funds for MND Scotland.

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This can cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, swallow or breathe and the average life expectancy is just 18 months from diagnosis.

Mark Noone, a Police Officer, was diagnosed with MND at the age of 34 and died on 16 November 2010 after a two-year battle with the disease, leaving behind a devastated family. At that time, Abbi was just seven years old, and her younger brother, Clark, was only two.

Abbi recalled, “I was very young when my dad was diagnosed. My family did their best to protect my brother and me. I don’t specifically remember the progression of my dad’s symptoms, but we were aware that something was wrong when he started using a wheelchair and eventually needed a feeding tube. Our family created precious memories with my dad during the time he had left—one standout moment was a family trip to Lapland”.

MND Scotland is the only charity in Scotland dedicated to directly supporting individuals with MND, along with their families and friends. Founded over forty years ago, the charity provides practical, financial, and emotional support while also funding essential research into effective treatments and cures.

Since Mark’s passing, the family has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for MND Scotland and help make time count for families affected by this brutal disease.

Abbi’s mother, Erica, has raised over £25,000 to help make a difference for families affected by motor neuron disease by taking on various challenges including a trek to Machu Picchu, 10k, Triathlon, bake sale, zip slide, 5K, fancy dress disco, 3K, walking across 20 feet of hot coals and razor-sharp shards of broken glass, and Ben Nevis (Read more about Erica and Abbi’s previous fundraising efforts here).

Abbi stated, “Our family has been supported by MND Scotland, and we’ve built a strong network through them. It’s comforting to know they are there. I want to help find a cure for MND so that no other family has to experience what we went through”.

Continuing her family’s legacy of support for the charity and to help raise important awareness about MND, a progressive and terminal condition that affects hundreds of individuals and their families across Scotland, Abbi has decided to take on the TCS London Marathon later this year: “I fundraise for MND Scotland every year and wanted to do something different, so I applied for the TCS London Marathon and secured my spot through the ballot.

“This will be my toughest fundraising effort to date as I’m not a runner and will be starting my training from scratch. However, I know that every step I take, both in training and on race day, will be for my dad. He’ll be with me in spirit the whole way through”.

Abbi will be supported by her family during the 26.2-mile race through the streets of London, passing some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and finishing in front of Buckingham Palace.

MND Scotland extends its gratitude to Abbi for taking on this ambitious challenge in memory of her beloved father, Mark, and for contributing to the charities vision of a world without motor neuron disease. Every donation, no matter the size, is greatly appreciated and will aid in furthering MND Scotland’s vital work.

To support Abbi’s fundraising efforts and contribute to MND Scotland’s cause, please click here. 

For more information about MND Scotland, how we can support you or your family, or if you’re interested in taking on a fundraising challenge, please visit: www.mndscotland.org.uk, email: info@mndscotland.org.uk, or call: 0141 332 3903.