MND group to benefit from charity ball (From Swindon Advertiser)
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MND group to benefit from charity ball
1:40pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News
A CHARITY selected to benefit from the Charity Ball for the second year running says the cash will be a lifeline for people nearing the end of life.
The North Wilts Group of the Motor Neurone Disease Association hopes to buy two specialised wheelchairs with money raised at the Vegas-themed bash.
The group’s treasurer Michael Armstrong said: “This leads on from what we were doing last year, when we were given £1,000. The funding will go towards two wheelchairs, which is excellent.
“People with the disease can’t get out without the specialist wheelchairs, and they need them at a much earlier stage than they would usually be available under the NHS. By the time you have waited for the NHS to provide one it is usually too late to be a lot of use.”
The fast progress of the disease means by the time someone needs a wheelchair they do not have long left to live.
The condition attacks the motor neurones, leading to wasting of muscles, and causing increasing loss of mobility, speech, swallowing and breathing.
There is no cure and the disease leads to death in an average of 15 months from diagnosis.
The wheelchairs, which will cost about £4,000, are electronic and include a fitted head-rest.
A spokeswoman for the Rotary Club of Swindon said: “Last year we gave the group £1,000 towards a specialised wheelchair and it was decided to add to that donation this year to allow more people with motor neurone disease to retain greater independence.
“They need to spend precious time with family and friends, before the progress of the disease makes this largely impossible “The purchase will make a difference to the lives of people with the disease living in the Swindon area, their families and friends.”
The ball, which is organised by the Rotary Club of Swindon, will take place at the Marriott Hotel on May 19. Tickets, at £75 a person, are available from 01793 610222 or sharding@dpds.co.uk.
