DEDICATED grandchildren are hoping to drive up funds for charity after their ‘nanna’ was diagnosed with an incurable disease.
The family is planning a ‘Grand Prix’ go-karting event in Leamington to raise £250,000 for The Motor Neurone Disease Association, so others do not have to face the same bleak future as their Nanna Jackie.
Jasmine, Harry and Lucy Greenhalgh, along with dad Chris and step sisters Paige and Sophia, aim to raise awareness of a disease which affects one in 5,000 in the UK, and which affected Professor Stephen Hawking for most of his life.
Jackie was diagnosed after her leg suddenly gave way last year. Motor neurones, or signals to the brain, stop working affecting movement and often speech. Even swallowing and breathing can fail. There is no cure and almost no treatment.
Jackie’s son Chris said: “To be told you have this disease and there’s nothing that can be done must be terrifying. Today when you’re diagnosed with cancer or other diseases there’s almost always hope, treatment and normally a cure if it’s caught early enough. Sadly this isn’t the case with motor neurone disease.
“Mum’s health has dramatically diminished in the past few months but I’m praying she will still be here to see the birth of her fifth grandchild in August.
“I always knew she was an extremely strong person who didn’t let anything beat her. I think I got my ‘anything is possible’ attitude from her, but even I’m shocked with the strength that she has shown.
“I’m determined in mum’s memory that I will do anything I can to help others after she has passed.”
Chris is also planning a number of other fund-raising ‘dare-devil’ challenges from wing-walking and climbing volcanoes, to bungee jumping.
Half the ticket money will go to charity and prizes have been donated by local businesses.
Contact Chris Greenhalgh on 07722 025050 to book places for the event at Mr Karting on Saturday April 20. Or visit mrkarting.co.uk to book directly.
Search ‘Let’s raise £250k for MND’ on Facebook for updates on events.
