Volunteers Week – The Value of Volunteering

It’s Volunteers’ Week! This is an annual event that takes place between 1-7 June to recognise and celebrate all the volunteer contributions that take place across the UK.

Volunteering is key to raising awareness and funding for MND Scotland. Volunteering helps contribute towards our vision of a world without motor neuron disease.

There are many benefits to volunteering, including meeting new people, learning new skills, or utilising former ones. MND Scotland volunteers continue to support our cause by helping with fundraising, awareness, and research, and they are a key part of what we do.

MND Scotland wants to take the opportunity to thank, appreciate, and celebrate the time, effort and dedication of our volunteers, including our Board of Trustees and Ambassadors, and the work they put into helping people affected by MND and supporting our cause.

We asked some of our volunteers what they enjoy most about volunteering with MND Scotland:

Scott Bryson, MND Scotland Trustee:

“I will never forget my first meeting in my professional capacity in 1995 with patients, families and carers affected by MND, when the only medicine licensed for this condition (riluzole) was being introduced to the NHS Drug Formularies. I saw courage, determination, and resilience in the face of disability, which was inspirational. This was my motivation many years later to become a Trustee. My reward now comes from meeting a new generation of patients, seeing those characteristics again, and learning how MND Scotland makes such a positive difference to their lives, despite progress in MND treatment being so slow. There are challenges and responsibilities which are expected of a Trustee, but in my experience, almost 8 years now, this is completely outweighed by the satisfaction of knowing that it’s an essential role and that our influence on the charity is vitally important to our members.”

Carol Blair, MND Scotland Volunteer:

“A family member of mine is living with MND and received support from MND Scotland. For example, help with setting up a Will, organising Power of Attorney, vouchers for massage to relieve muscle tension, and benefits advice. I help out by marshalling at fundraising events and shaking bucket collection cans. I find volunteering rewarding because I know the charity survives on charitable contributions. It helps to hear other people’s stories and giving strangers time to talk. To anyone thinking about volunteering, I would say that, if you have spare time, what harm can be done by using it to support others?”

Lisa McDonald, MND Scotland Volunteer:

“Volunteering for MND Scotland has been a really rewarding, interesting, and fun experience. I started volunteering in July 2024 because I wanted to give something back to show my thanks for the support that we received to help manage the effects of MND on my partner’s and my life.

“I’ve now been volunteering for nearly two years and so far have taken on a few roles, including marshalling duties at the annual fun run, doing a bucket collection during a recent music event and also helping with a stock take in the MND Scotland office. 

“It’s been a great experience for me so far, everyone involved has been welcoming, friendly, and there’s a lot of support for us as volunteers. MND Scotland care about their volunteers and realise that some situations might be emotional, or that we might not always have time to volunteer, so we’re given support, and there’s never pressure to do anything. I’ve also found it really helpful to be around people who understand what we’ve been through, and I hope that also means I can be empathetic to others who share their stories with us at events. The range of volunteering opportunities means that there’s something for everyone, and it’s great to see behind the curtain and be part of the huge effort that goes into fundraising events. I’d recommend volunteering with MND Scotland to anyone who wants to help support MND Scotland. There’s something for everyone, and it’s an amazing community to be part of.”

Kirsty MacLean, MND Scotland volunteer:

“My husband was diagnosed with MND in 2017 and passed away in 2018. During that time, MND Scotland was an amazing support to my husband and the family.  As a way of thanking MND Scotland, my two daughters and I took part in various events such as the Kiltwalk, the Zip Slide over the Clyde, and half/full marathons, helping to raise much-needed funds for the charity. But you can only ask people to contribute money a certain number of times before they get fed up with you. That’s when I decided to offer my services as a volunteer.

“As a volunteer, I’ve supported and encouraged people at various fundraising events, and recently at the Jinky Johnstone memorial walk. Having someone from MND Scotland visibly supporting those taking part in events makes such a big difference to them; they feel their efforts are really being appreciated.  I’ve also helped in MND Scotland’s office, posting out event T-shirts, stock taking, and addressing letters.

“I feel by volunteering, I’m giving something back to MND Scotland, albeit minimally, in comparison to the support they gave us when we needed it.

“To anyone thinking of volunteering, I would say go for it. You’ll get a lot out of it, no matter what it is; you’re still helping the MND community and any help, no matter how big or small, is so useful and very much needed.”

Richard Ribchester, MND Scotland Trustee:

“I spent a 45-year research career studying and teaching about the biology of motor neurons in health and disease. Joining the Board of Trustees of MND Scotland has given me the opportunity to continue sharing my knowledge and experience with other Trustees, informing the strategic direction of the charity, especially in judicious support for research directed towards better understanding and more effective treatment of MND; and communicating the findings of research to people living with MND.

“Talking to people living with MND at the LEARN events organised by MND Scotland around Scotland about the latest research and chairing the Scientific Advisory Panel at meetings to discuss and recommend awards for the best new research applications, aimed at improving understanding and treatment of MND.

“I believe everyone has a unique experience or skill set that they could fruitfully bring to bear in support of MND Scotland and its charitable aims, helping to improve the quality of life of people living with MND and those who love and care for them.”

Brian Madden, MND Scotland volunteer:

“I became aware of the work the organisation does when my mum, Brenda, was diagnosed with MND in late 2023. She suffered from Progressive Bulbar Palsy (PBP) and struggled with her speech and swallowing. She sadly passed in January 2025. Her progression through the disease was fast, so we didn’t get much chance to use the services available, but my mum was a practical woman who always looked to help others, even as her time with the disease progressed. I thought she would want to help where she could, and I can do this for her.

 “I helped out with a bucket collection last year at a football match and have been keeping an eye out for other opportunities.

“I’ve been lucky enough to volunteer at other organisations as well as for MND Scotland, and the key theme in anything you do is being able to help in a practical way. It’s great to give a donation – crucial even, but there are times when being present, supporting others and lending a hand lets you see how others are impacted, and lets them see they are not alone. We could all do with more empathy and support for others. With MND, it’s so hard to watch someone you love struggle with the condition. Being able to help move towards the chance of a cure, or some medical or practical relief or any type of breakthrough, even just a tiny bit, is what’s most rewarding. Our actions as volunteers can’t help the ones we’ve lost, but we can help the people going through it today – and we may help someone in the future, and that’s the essence of a community.

“To someone who is thinking about volunteering, I would say do it – it doesn’t matter what. The help you can give by volunteering is unlimited. Organisations can benefit from your skills, knowledge, and experience. Events and campaigns can benefit from your efforts, engagement, and encouragement. And people who need your support benefit from knowing there are strangers out there who care and want to help.”

Christine Wilson, MND Scotland Trustee:

“I decided to put myself forward as a Trustee because my dad died of MND, and I wanted to contribute to other people with MND and the people around them.

“It’s rewarding to use the skills and experience I’ve gained through my working life and put them to good use for the charity.

“Getting to know my fellow Trustees and seeing how committed we all are is very rewarding, as are the moments when I think I have made a difference. Being able to run the EMF 10k this year in my MND top as a Trustee was a highlight.

“I would say to anyone thinking of volunteering: go for it. Think about your skills and where you think they’d be best targeted, and pick a cause you feel passionate about. You’ll be developing your skills and experience, your networks, all while making a difference.”

MND Scotland would like to thank our volunteers, Board of Trustees, and Ambassadors, for their support, time, and commitment to MND Scotland and the MND community.

There are a lot of ways to get involved and opportunities to support MND Scotland throughout the year across Scotland. If you want to find out more about volunteering or are interested in getting involved, please visit our website: www.mndscotland.org.uk or get in touch by emailing: volunteer@mndscotland.org.uk.