This challenge to travel 'End to End' came about as all the participants know people who are suffering from MND and wanted to do something to help. An outline of the illness is detailed below:-

Every day in the UK, 3 people die of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). In this country alone, MND affects up to 5000 people at any one time.

MND is a rapidly progressive and fatal disease that can affect any adult at any time.

MND is the name given to a group of related diseases affecting the motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord. The motor neurones are the nerve cells which control muscles. As the motor neurones gradually die, the muscles stop working.

The disease was first decribed in 1874 by French neurologist Jean-Marie Charcot.

MND leaves people unable to walk, talk or feed themselves but the intellect and the senses remain unaffected. People with MND can still think and feel, but their muscles refuse to work.

Average life expectancy is only 14 months after diagnosis.

Death is normally as a result of respiratory failure but with the right palliative care, is peaceful and pain free.

Famous people who have died of MND include David Niven, Don Revie, Leonard Cheshire and Jill Tweedie.

Professor Stephen Hawking, author of 'A Brief History of Time' is exceptional: he has survived with MND for over 30 years.

The cause of MND is unknown and there is no cure.

About The MND Association

The MND Association was established in 1979. It aims to ensure that people affected by MND can secure the care and support they need, whilst promoting research into causes and treatments.

Many of the Association's 80 Branches across the country provide equipment and support to local people affected by MND.

The MND Association depends entirely on voluntary donations for its income and receives no government funding.

Reproduced with kind permission of the MND Association.

About the Scottish MND Association

The Scottish MND Association have special care advisors who are linked to Neurology departments in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen. They support people living with MND, families, care colleagues and are able to provide specialist equipment.

Scottish MND promotes and funds high quality research in Scotland. They also have a library and information centre.

The Scottish MND Association also relies on voluntary donations for its income.

Link to The Scottish MND Association Website.