Scholarship inspired by the late campaigner, Gordon Aikman aims to improve access for people with MND

MND Scotland has partnered with the Scottish Government to fund a new Gordon Aikman Scholarship.  

Euan’s Guide, founded by Euan MacDonald MBE following his own motor neuron disease (MND) diagnosis, will receive £33,000 to support the development of a new digital resource designed specifically around the journeys people with MND make every day.  

The Gordon Aikman Scholarship was set up in 2017, in honour of late MND campaigner Gordon Aikman, to fund research and developments into improving care and support for people living with MND.

The scholarship scheme is jointly funded by MND Scotland and the Scottish Government, each investing £25,000, to develop practical improvements in the way people with MND are cared for.  

The grant will create Euan’s MND Scotland Guide – a tailored version of EuansGuide.com. The guide will be an online platform that provides trusted access information tailored to the needs of people with MND.  

Building on the existing Euan’s Guide review website, the new guide will focus on helping people plan real journeys. That means accessible places to eat and stay near clinics, information about Changing Places toilets, transport options, and all the practical detail that helps someone with MND plan a journey with confidence. The new digital guide will give people with MND a stronger voice, reduce barriers to participation, and create a lasting resource for the community. 

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We know how important it is for people affected by MND to find accessible buildings and activities which enable them to live their lives as fully as possible. We are delighted to award the Gordon Aikman Scholarship to Euan’s Guide to expand the range and reach of information on such services.” 

Kiki MacDonald, Euan’s Guide Co-Founder said: “We are delighted to be working with MND Scotland and the Scottish Government to provide people with MND and their families the specific information they need to get out and about. Euan’s Guide was set up by my brother Euan after his own diagnosis with MND. He wanted to remove the fear of the unknown when visiting new places. Euan’s Guide enables people to find accessible places to go with confidence.” 

Nicola Povey, head of support services at MND Scotland, said: “We are proud to continue this partnership with the Scottish Government and work alongside Euan’s Guide to deliver a project that offers practical help to the MND community. Losing independence impacts people significantly when they are diagnosed with MND and this tailored guide will offer the accessibility information they need to leave the house with confidence.”  

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal neurological illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This causes muscle weakness and wasting. MND can rob someone of the ability to walk, talk, swallow and breathe. The average life expectancy of someone with MND is just 18 months from diagnosis. There is no cure or meaningful treatments.