Rachel Cunningham
The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) has launched the return of its ‘Walk While You Can’ campaign, aiming to get as many people as possible involved in a 5km walk in their local communities this month.
With more than 450 people in Ireland currently living with Motor Neurone Disease, the charity is encouraging the public to help raise funds for vital services this October 21.
Walk While You Can first originated in 2018 when Father Tony Coote walked 550km from Donegal to Cork, and raised €700,000 for Motor Neurone Disease in the process.
From these funds, the IMNDA was able to hire a much needed fourth outreach nurse to care for and support people living with Motor Neurone Disease in Ireland.
The outreach nursing service, which now has six nurses provided by the IMNDA, helps over 450 people and families spread across 26 counties. This is the only service of its kind in the country and it is funded entirely from public donations.
“MND affects my arms and hands and means I struggle with everyday things most of us take for granted; from peeling an orange, to brushing my teeth and writing,” said Andres Estevez Guersanik, from Dundrum, who was recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and is an ambassador for this year’s Walk While You Can.
“I used to love running marathons but now find 5km a challenge. But I’m doing what I can while I can so I will be walking this October 21 and I encourage everyone who can to get involved.”
For more information and to register to set up your own 5K walk, visit www.imnda.ie.
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