Hundreds expected for fundraising walk in honour of grandad diagnosed with MND
A fitness instructor from Gomersal is raising money for a motor neurone disease charity after her dad was diagnosed with the condition.
Lisa White is running marathons in Leeds and Manchester, as well as organising a 10-mile circular walk from Oakwell Hall.
Dad John Wall, from Cleckheaton, was diagnosed with the condition just before Christmas.
The 77-year-old worked as a salesman for around 30 years at Arena, based in Rothwell.
Lisa said: “My dad is in his 70s but still really young, still going to the gym, still walking – just having a nice life.
“Then at the gym he felt he couldn't do what he used to do. The doctors didn't know what it was and MND is hard to diagnose, it can show itself in different ways
“With Rob Burrow it was his voice that was first affected but with dad it was his arms.
“It started getting progressively worse. He was struggling to pick up a coffee or use cutlery to eat.
"It's an absolutely devastating diagnosis. It’s about learning to live with it. You don't know if you have six months or two years but you know that it will end your life.”
Lisa will take on the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, the Manchester Marathon and the Oakwell walk on March 8, among others.
She said the support for the walk had been “mindblowing”, with 200 walkers expected, while local businesses have contributed raffle prizes such as holidays, restaurant vouchers and hampers.
There will be a coffee and cake stop-off halfway through the walk at Birstall Cricket Club.
The fundraising efforts have raised more than £3,500 for the MND Association.
Despite his condition Lisa said her dad still maintained a positive mindset even though he had to give up activities he loved like an art class and presenting on hospital radio at St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford.
She said: “He's amazing. He's still laughing and joking. My parents have gone away for two nights to Harrogate and are set on living life to the fullest. They've booked a holiday to Majorca at Easter.
"It makes you realise you have to live for now.”
Search “Lisa's fundraiser for Motor Neurone Disease Association” on JustGiving to donate.