Newcastle North’s MP, Catherine McKinnell, recently joined local Motor Neurone Disease (MND) campaigners at an event in Parliament to mark MND Awareness Month, and to hear more about how those living with the condition are affected.

MND is a fatal, rapidly progressive disease that affects the brain and spinal cords – attacking the nerves which control movement so muscles refuse to work.

It can leave people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk and eventually breathe. MND kills around 30% of people within 12 months of diagnosis, and more than 50% within two years.

Up to 5,000 adults in the UK are thought to have MND at any one time, for which there is no cure.

Catherine met with Susan Turnbull and Marian Dent, from the Tyne and Wear branch of the MND Association, at the event held to mark MND Awareness Month which takes place in June. More than 130 volunteers from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland also took part.

Earlier the same day, the MND Charter signed by more than 33,500 people – including Catherine McKinnell – was handed to Downing Street, calling for the right care, in the right place at the right time for people with MND and their carers.

Catherine said:

‘I know just how devastating MND can be for those with the condition, but also for their family and carers.

‘And the event in Parliament – with several powerful, moving speeches – brought home just how profoundly MND affects people.

‘It really is so important that those living with this condition receive the right care, in the right place and at the right time for the painfully short time that many people have left after diagnosis.’

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