Glasgow Man will run the Loch Ness Marathon for MND Scotland in memory of beloved Godmother

Ryan Kelly, 33, is taking on the epic Loch Ness Marathon this year in memory of his godmother, Sharon Aiken, who sadly died in 2021. Ryan aims to raise vital funds and awareness for MND Scotland – the charity that supported Sharon and her family throughout her motor neuron disease (MND) diagnosis.

To support Ryan’s fundraising efforts, please visit his JustGiving page to make a donation: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ryan-kelly-3

Ryan, originally from Houston, Renfrewshire, now lives in Shawlands, Glasgow, with his partner Josh, and works as an account executive for a promotional products company.

Prior to her diagnosis, Ryan’s godmother, Sharon Aiken, worked for Police Scotland for many years and held multiple degrees, including law.

Sharon was diagnosed with MND in 2016 after a year of unexplained symptoms. Ryan moved in with Sharon for four years during her MND diagnosis to provide emotional support and company: “I wasn’t her carer in the traditional sense – we had nurses and specialists – but I was there so she was never alone,” Ryan said. “We shared so many funny, silly, joyful moments, even in the hardest times”.

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal neurological illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This causes muscle weakness and wasting.

Speaking about her diagnosis, Ryan said: “She already had a disability and walked with a splint, but about a year after symptoms began, she noticed more weakness in her foot, leading to more falls and dropping things. After a year of investigation, she was diagnosed with MND.

“I would say that Sharon always seemed invincible to me. I was definitely taken aback by her diagnosis.

“I never really knew much about MND at all. Not a lot whatsoever. When my mum and dad said they had something to tell me when I got home from work, I knew there was something wrong.”

As the disease took its grip on Sharon, it started to affect her legs and arms. In her last year, she was only able to move her fingers. Her speech had also gotten worse, and she began using assistive technology devices to help communicate.

Ryan added: “Sharon always said she could deal with anything else, but not her speech going and people not being able to understand or communicate with her. That would be the end”.

“She’d always fight when she went into hospital. But she would never be just as good as what she was before she had gone in. The last time she went to hospital, it was quite a bad aspiration. They said that they’ll need to put the ventilation on her and it was a downhill slope from there. I think she was only in for five days, and she wasn’t improving. They just kept her comfortable at that point”.

After a five-year battle with MND, Sharon died on 3 August 2021

Despite the challenges of the disease, she remained focused on others, always asking about their lives and wellbeing. “She never made it about her,” Ryan recalls. “Even when she was losing her ability to speak, she still put everyone else first”.

Ryan has very fond memories of his godmother, Sharon. She was there for birthdays, Christmas and family celebrations. As a teenager and even into adult life, Sharon was always there for Ryan.

Speaking about his godmother, Ryan said: “She was truly a vibrant person. She was bubbly and loved life to the fullest, with a cheeky side that was purely playful”.

Known for her sharp mind, sense of humour, Sharon had an appreciation for life’s finer things – particularly designer handbags. She took great pride in her appearance – always making sure to smell great, having pristine hair, and wearing makeup. She was full of life right up until the very end.

In her final months, she asked Ryan to dye her hair: “Before she was diagnosed with MND, she would always go to the hairdressers and get her hair done. It was always completely pristine. Not long before she passed, her hair started going grey, and she said she would like to dye her hair purple. So, I went to the shop and bought a box kit dye and we dyed it. It wasn’t as vibrant as what I think she’d probably wanted, but there was definitely a hint of purple there!

We shared lots of funny memories such as that one, and I’m forever grateful to have had such quality time with her in her last days.”

Ryan has previously fundraised for MND Scotland over the years through events like a Firewalk at Hampden and a Zip Slide across the Clyde. Now, he’s training for his biggest challenge yet: the full Loch Ness Marathon on 28 September 2025.

He said: “I’m not a runner, but I’ve got a good training plan and friends who are helping me build up the distance. This is for Sharon”.

The Loch Ness Marathon follows a spectacular point-to-point route alongside world famous Loch Ness, starting in an atmospheric moorland setting and continues through stunning Highland scenery, taking you along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, across the River Ness, to finish in Inverness, capital city of the Highlands.

MND Scotland supported Sharon and her family with grants, advice, and guidance during her MND diagnosis. Ryan hopes his story will inspire others to support the charity’s work: “Whatever raises visibility – that’s what it’s all about.”

MND Scotland would like to thank Ryan for sharing his story and wish him all the best in his upcoming challenge.

To support Ryan’s fundraising efforts, please visit his JustGiving page to make a donation.

For more information about MND Scotland, how we can support you or your family, please  email: info@mndscotland.org.uk or call: 0141 332 3903.