Strathclyde Park Fun Run raises £30,000

Thank you to everyone who took part in Saturday’s MND Fun Run at Strathclyde Park!

Nearly 800 people took part in the 4 or 6 mile course and were cheered on by friends, family and the team at MND Scotland. This event has already raised £30,000, with more coming in.

One of the people who took part was Lindsay Boyle from Glasgow.

For Lindsay, the Fun Run was a special day to remember three loved ones who she lost to MND.

Lindsay said: “I decided to take on the MND Scotland Fun Run at Strathclyde Park with some of my family and friends. I’ve previously taken part in the Fun Run on behalf of my aunt Jane Brown, who was diagnosed with MND in 2013 and sadly gained her angel wings in November 2014.

“We also lost the father of a close family friend, Tommy Dolan, to MND in late 2017 – to the shock of his wonderful family and friends.

“But this year’s run was tinged with sadness as I lost my brave and courageous friend, Alison McDonald, to MND in January 2018.

“It’s especially painful because she took part in last year’s Fun Run and now, just a year later, she is no longer with us.

“Sadly, Alison was diagnosed with MND when she was just 35. As a group of close friends, we were all shocked and saddened with the diagnosis, but we knew if anyone was going to fight this it would be Alison. She never ever let it get her down and she always had a beautiful smile on her face.

“Alison later became a spokesperson for MND Scotland and she featured in their campaigns to help raise awareness of MND.

“Alison made sure that she wouldn’t let her diagnosis get her down. She went about her days as normal as she could, doing everything possible for her cherished and loved little boy.

“As a group of friends we decided to have a fun day of fundraising in April 2017 where we could try raise as much money as possible for MND Scotland and for Alison to help her make special memories with her beautiful son and niece!

“Unfortunately, Alison’s health deteriorated and in January 2018 aged 38 she gained her angel wings. To say we were all left heartbroken is an understatement.

“I think a lot of people just presume that only older people get MND. Alison still had her life ahead of her, with her beautiful little family, and that’s why I was so determined to raise funds at this year’s MND Fun Run.”

Iain McWhirter, head of fundraising and volunteering at MND Scotland, said: “I would like to thank Lindsay for sharing her heartbreaking story and for taking part in memory of Jane, Tommy and Alison.

“We also want to say a massive thank you to all our participants, supporters, volunteers and staff for making this day such a huge success.

“To see so many people come out to support us in the fight against MND is incredible. All the money raised from the day will go towards helping us continue to support people affected by MND across the country and fund research, which is taking us a step closer to a cure.”

If you missed out you can sign up for our Holyrood Park Fun Run on Saturday 18th August by visiting: www.mndscotland.org.uk/funrun