AN OFFA'S Dyke Walk held as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease raised nearly £1,000.

Around 40 people joined in with the event set up by the North East Wales Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and held on Sunday, September 26.

Groups from across the UK joined together to walk the 177-mile route to raise awareness of the condition.

One of the organisers, Rachel Ritchie from Ruthin, said: "We had a really successful walk for MNDA on Sunday. We had approximately 40 people join us - young and old. Most of those on the walk were walking to remember friends and family members either living with MND or who have passed away from it.

"The weather was very kind to us, although it was very windy. The walk was mainly about awareness and the sea of blue MNDA t-shirts definitely caught people’s eye.

"We are delighted that we managed to raise nearly £1,000 which will be used to support those living with MNDA, locally in North East Wales."

The group were joined on their walk by Clwyd West MS Darren Millar, Clwyd West MP David Jones and the Mayor of Ruthin Heather Williams.

Mr Millar said: "“It was a great pleasure to join the group and walk part of the trek on a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning.
 
“Motor Neurone Disease is a cruel illness which sadly affects many families across North Wales, yet those who have not been directly impacted by it probably have little knowledge of how it affects people.
 
“The trek was therefore a great way to raise awareness of both the condition and the fantastic work that the MNDA carries out in supporting those with Motor Neurone Disease and their loved ones.”

“With MND, messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles. This leads the muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste. The condition can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. Some people also experience changes to their thinking and behaviour.

"MND is life-shortening and there is no cure. Although the disease with progress, symptoms can be managed to help achieve the best possible quality of life.”

Motor Neurone Disease is a fatal rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, attacking the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work. It kills a third of people within a year and more than half within two years of diagnosis.

It’s a devastating disease that affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time and kills six people every day.

The MND Association is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland focused on MND care, research and campaigning.

For more information visit www.mndassociation.org