Hardknott Pass Vigil - For MNDA

An unashamed plug for some fund/awareness raising that I'm doing on behalf of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, please take the time to have a read, if you want to feel free to donate, if not please could you tell at least one other person about MND and its devastating effects:

What is MND?

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.

MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order.

Although there is currently no cure for MND, symptoms can be managed to help you achieve the best possible quality of life.

Why I am fund/awareness raising for MND

I wasn't really aware of Motor Neurone Disease, it's effects and the fact that it is a terminal illness until my sister-in-law Angela was diagnosed in December 2011.

Unfortunately Angela lost her battle in May 2012, MND is a devastating illness, there are 5,000 sufferers in the UK, life expectancy is 14 months from diagnosis. Angela's rapid demise was a shock to all the family and brought home just how cruel this devastating illness can be.

The Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) is a charity that helps both the sufferers and their families come to terms with the illness and acts as a support mechanism for the carers, they also provide funding for research into what isn't a high profile illness

The support that the MNDA give to families is nothing short of amazing, especially considering that the association is mainly run by volunteers. I would like to repay that support in some way

What I am doing?

I am proposing to undertake a series of once in a life time experiences that will raise funds and awareness of and for MND and that's where Hardknott Fort comes in

On Saturday the 8th September 2012, myself, along with four others and my dog, intend to spend the night, 8pm to 8am at Hardknott Fort, there will be no tenting or fires, just some star gazing, weather permitting, gentle reflection and hopefully raising monies through sponsorship

The site is a World Heritage site of great importance and run by the National Trust, I feel extremely privileged to have gained permission from the property manager to undertake this experience

This will be the first of several experiences planned around the North of England for the next 12 months and is set to be a fantastic way to get us started

Hard Knott Fort, known to the Romans as Mediobogdum, is near the Eskdale end of Hardknott pass. The Roman Fort, one of the loneliest outposts of the Roman Empire, built between AD120 and AD138 is on a spectacular site overlooking the pass which forms part of the Roman road from Ravenglass to Ambleside and Brougham at Penrith.

If you feel that you could donate to MNDA, no matter how small an amount, please visit my just giving page www.justgiving.com/experience4mnda', any amount will be gratefully received by the association.

Each week in the UK 35 people are diagnosed with MND, each week in the UK 35 people lose their battle with MND





















Latics and Proud



Fancy writing an article about the Latics? Why not get in touch, we are always looking for new contributors, after all we are all Latics fans here and want to get the Latics message to the world, so if you have a favourite match or Latics memory get it jotted down, or whatever you want to say put it into an email and send it to us here at Vital Wigan

To get your article published just click here and we will put it onto the site

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.