Events and News

The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association has received its largest ever donation pledge.

The £2.375 million pledge has been offered to fund new grants for biomedical research into the causes of and potential cure for motor neurone disease. Read more

The Branch was saddened to learn of the death of John Scott, who had been a leading figure in the Association's North East circles for some 20 years. His funeral took place on Monday 4 June 2007.

John was Chairman of the Sunderland Branch of the Association during the 1990s. On the merging of the Sunderland and Tyneside Branches he became the first Chairman of the combined branch.

John was well-respected as a man of sound judgment who never lost sight of the Association's objectives and who always made new members feel at home. He is badly missed.

Our sympathy and good wishes go to John's family and close friends.

Ken Hylton,
Branch President

When you’re living with MND, the idea of attending the Association’s National Conference can seem daunting.

All that organisation! Will it all be worth it? Here, Liz Shipley talks about the first time she travelled down to the event. Read story

The Branch AGM was held on Thursday 12 April at Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle.

There was a good turnout of members to hear the Chairman, Martin Boyes, report that the Branch had had a successful year. Read Annual Reports

Have you been diagnosed with a slower progressing form of MND (progressive muscular atrophy, primary lateral sclerosis) and/or have you been living with MND for more than 5 years? If so please read on.

We are looking at the need for a web-based support group for people who fall under this heading, who by the rarity of their disease are inevitably geographically dispersed and may want to be in contact with other similarly affected individuals.

There may also be additional opportunities in the future for this group to look at developing literature that is more geared to the needs of people with more slow progressive forms of MND.

Expressions of interest would be welcomed at this stage to care@mndassociation.org

Heidi McLeod
Head of Care Services
MND Association

Unfortunately the MND Minsteracres Fun Day on 6 May 2007 has had to be cancelled. However, there are plans to organise another event along the same lines next year.

The evening will be held at Ryton Social Club from 7pm - 11pm.

All welcome, tickets are £5 - pay at the door on the night.

For more information please feel free to contact Marian at the Newcastle Motor Neurone Disease Centre

Telephone: (0191) 233 6161 ext 22663 (Mon-Fri 8.30-4.30)

view event flyer...

The MND Centre's annual memorial service was held at St George’s Church in Jesmond on the 21st January 2007, to celebrate the lives of former patients of the Centre. read more...

What's a Christmas stage show for children in France got to do with the Great North Run?

The answer: Gary Thwaites runs a northeast firm called NE 3D that makes models and props for museums, theatre, TV, ads and commercials, etc. read more...

Truly a 'Great' day. A great day for the Great North Run and a great day for the Association, with more runners running for us than ever before.

And, as far as we could judge, a great day for the runners.

Read more...

Jill Halfpenny, TV and stage star and winner of 'Strictly Come Dancing', spent the afternoon with Tyne and Wear Branch.

The event was a coffee and sales afternoon at St Joseph’s Church Hall in the centre of Gateshead.

Read more...

Liz Shipley is a member of Tyne & Wear Branch and has Motor Neurone Disease. She is the 6th member of her family to have the disease. Liz is also a trained and accredited Association Visitor.

Liz wants to donate her eggs for research to help scientists find a cure for MND and she has taken part in in a BBC Health feature about the subject.

During 2005 the Branch started to offer informal get-together opportunities for people in the area affected by MND.

For 2006 we will be alternating monthly between Dobbies Garden Centre at Ponteland, and Heighley Gate Garden Centre near Morpeth. We meet in the restaurant area of the Garden Centre from 2 -4 pm

The second annual Memorial Service was held in Jesmond, Newcastle on Sunday 22 January.

Over a hundred family and friends gathered to remember both loved ones who had died recently, and also those who have died in the past few years. read full article 

The Association has awarded Ken Hylton the distinction of being appointed Honorary President of the Tyne & Wear Branch.

Honorary Presidency is a rare bestowal and is only made on the approval of the Association's Trustees. It was conferred on Ken by the Chief Executive of the Association, Kirstine Knox, at a special Branch meeting on 1 November. more details

MND Association Spending in the North East

We understand that at a recent public event for people with MND it was inferred that little of the money collected in the North East for MND was actually used for the benefit of local individuals.

We are very concerned that there is this misconception about the funds, which the Branch and its supporters work so hard to raise all year round. more details

Flying Foxes in Harrogate
Report by Janet Smith

Fruit flies, zebra fish and the flying fox fruit bat were hot topics of conversation in Harrogate last month.

These species from the animal kingdom all have a part to play in discovering causes and cures for Motor Neurone Disease, said Dr Brian Dickie. more details