Every year, Reading Joggers adopts a charity to support. Fundraising events take place throughout the year. Two of our fellow Joggers Nicky and Andrew lived with MND and have now both sadly passed away. For that reason, and as a fitting tribute to them, the MNDA Reading and West Berkshire charity was chosen by the Committee as the Joggers charity for the year.

The MNDA focuses on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND.  The MDNA Reading and West Berkshire branch, are a group of volunteers dedicated to helping people affected by MND, including carers, family and friends, living in the area spanning from Hungerford to Bracknell and Henley.

The group raise awareness of MND, by organising and promoting events, and support to local fundraisers. For people affected by MND, they offer funding, as well as help accessing support from other organisations. Their support can include regular visits and the opportunity to talk to someone who understands their situation.

Dave Sayer, who lost his wife Nicky told us ‘after Nicky’s diagnosis, they provided such support and friendship, and also funding for massage which really helped with Nicky’s wellbeing. The group has been absolutely brilliant, and it meant so much to Nicky and I to know that other people care and we were not alone’.

Andrew’s wife Caroline and daughter Kirsten told us ‘Andrew was an avid runner who joined Reading Joggers for the sense of community it provided alongside one of his favourite hobbies. Through his running, he also enjoyed the challenge of raising funds for MNDA Reading and West Berkshire Branch, a charity he supported throughout his life due to his father also having had the condition.  Unfortunately, last year Andrew himself was diagnosed with MND. However, he found the support offered by the MNDA extremely valuable as his condition progressed. In particular, the drop in sessions held by MNDA really lifted his spirits as he was able to chat to people who understood what he was going through and the concerns that he had.  They even lent him a rollator whilst he was waiting for one from the NHS.  

Sadly, in April of this year, Andrew suddenly passed away. However, I can honestly say that the volunteers at MNDA have been amazing over the last eighteen months. My daughter, Kirsten, and I are incredibly grateful for the support they have offered us all’. 

Mary Dodds, the events co-ordinator for the group told us how they came to be set up ‘I lost my husband Derek to MND in 1990, and at that time there was no local support in Berkshire for people living with and affected by this horrible disease. So with the help of family and friends we set up the Reading & West Berks branch in March 1987. Derek put up a brave fight, and it didn’t stop him getting as much publicity from the Reading Evening Post and Reading Chronicle to raise awareness and much needed funds to help and support people and research into the disease’. 

‘I’m so very proud to be a small part of this very busy branch, I love working with my colleagues who are all so very passionate in helping all families living with this dreadful disease, thankyou Reading Joggers for your amazing support to local people affected by Motor Neurone Disease’.  

To give you an idea of the sorts of support that fundraising can provide.  

£10 provides an information pack for a newly diagnosed person so they know what to expect and how to access support

£28 funds an MND Connect helpline advisor for one hour

£85 funds software to enable someone with MND to bank their own voice so they can continue to speak with their own voice and a further £160 will buy a specialist communication app enabling someone who has lost the ability to continue to communicate with others.  

And as we have heard from both Nicky and Andrew’s family, the charity have provided brilliant support for them at a very difficult time.

Thank you so much for supporting Reading Joggers in our fundraising efforts this year.