We would like to say thank you to all of our supporters for getting involved during MND Action Week to raise awareness and funds for MND Scotland.

We launched our biggest ever direct fundraising appeal to our supporters by mail and email and we asked you to take action to fund MND research by making a one-time donation or sign up for regular giving.

This joined our brand-new public awareness campaign, which featured three heart-breaking scenarios; being unable to reach out and hold the ones you love; being unable to read your little one a bedtime story anymore; and being unable to take a drink of water when you feel thirsty.

We asked the public to try imagining what it is like to live with Motor Neurone Disease, with a call-to-action to support us in finding a cure by making a donation.

Action at ScotRail

Our official charity partners at the ScotRail Alliance (a partnership between ScotRail and Network Rail Scotland) provided the charity with free advertising space on trains and in stations for MND Scotland posters, which will run for several months. The posters include a text-to-donate number to allow passengers to give £3 and to get back our campaign video to share on social media.

ScotRail also provided access to stations for our brand new high-tech contactless giving experience. We toured several stations across Scotland, from Inverness to Edinburgh, to connect with the public and ask for their support. When members of the public gave £3 via contactless donation, this caused our campaign video to play on our digital screen in the stations.

On Friday 21^st June, ScotRail staff members gave £2 each, on Global MND Awareness Day, to take part in a Hawaiian-themed dress-down day on the longest day of the year. ScotRail also shared messages about MND Action Week on screens at stations.

Across the week, teams of fundraisers took part in bucket collections at ScotRail stations across the country to raise money.

Action at the Scottish Parliament

On Tuesday 18th June, we hosted reception in the Members Room of the Scottish Parliament, hosted by Bob Doris MSP. He was joined by Minister for Older People & Equalities, Christina McKelvie MSP, and MND Scotland Chairman Lawrence Cowan.

The reception gave ministers and MSPs an opportunity to meet with people affected by MND and to hear their concerns.

Guests heard powerful speeches from David Watson, from Sutherland, and his 15-year-old daughter Poppy. David gave an impassioned speech about the issues affecting people with MND – including the lack of urgency around housing and home adaptations. He particularly highlighted the “bureaucracy” in his local health board and the lack of understanding of MND and its time-sensitive nature.

Poppy used the opportunity to address mental health with MSPs and guests. She said: “My GP told me to call Childline and go back in a couple of months… It’s been difficult. I have pals in school I can talk to… but that’s not their job. I finally got someone to talk to after 8 months and after I opened up she told me she was leaving… there’s not enough support for families and loved ones.”

On Thursday 27th June, party leaders joined together at the Scottish Parliament to renew their support for MND Scotland and to “pull together” to end MND forever.

Action at the Scottish Sun

The Scottish Sun hit the road for a charity tour of Scotland, in their big red bus, for MND Action Week.

The Sun Bus pulled into towns across Scotland and saw celebs such as best-selling singer Susan Boyle, showbiz legend Sydney Devine, Celtic hero Frank McAvennie, and performers from Zippo’s circus, turn out to welcome the public.

The bus was home to a tombola full of fantastic charity prizes which were won by members of the public.

Every penny raised will be donated to MND Scotland, so keep your eyes peeled in the Scottish Sun for more details of where they’ll be popping up and when.

If you missed the chance to support MND Scotland during MND Action Week you can still make a £3 donation by texting IMAGINE to 70660 or simply visit www.mndscotland.org.uk/imagine.