News

Drink Tea for MND 2021!

May 13th, 2021

This June, get ready for a cup of something really special!

June 21st is Global Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Day. Every year all over Ireland homes and businesses of all sizes put the kettle on and to do something really special to raise much needed funds for families living with Motor Neurone Disease.

In 2020, for the first time, your tea parties took place online… and it was our most successful Drink Tea for MND ever raising over €250,000 for families living with Motor Neurone Disease!!!

Now that’s what we call a strong cup of tea!

This year we want you to help us make an even bigger difference for families living with MND. Please join us on put the kettle on!

Click Here to Register!

Cycle from Dublin to Nerja

May 12th, 2021

Alisdair Anderson is taking on an incredible challenge this summer. Below he explains what he is doing and why…

“My partner, Ruth Staines, passed away on April 3rd 2021, after a short but defiant battle with Motor Neuron Disease. In her memory, I’m cycling 2,750km from Dublin to Nerja, Spain to raise vital funds for the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association. This will be a 2,750km journey, and I’ll be doing it solo (unless anyone wants to join along the way!).

The Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association provides care and support to people with MND, their families, friends and carers. Without them, we would have been lost. The support they provided to Ruth throughout her illness allowed her to live a much more comfortable life. From mobility and wheelchairs, nursing, homecare support, counselling – these were all critical services we depended on. They also provided Ruth with Eye Gaze technology, which allowed Ruth to send messages, flick through Tick Tok and of course play Candy Crush – all without the use of her hands. I can’t thank them enough for the speed in which they moved, as time sadly was never on Ruthies side. All of these services cost money, however, and I’m aiming to do my bit to support these services by raising vital funds for IMNDA.

The 2,750km journey will start in Oxmantown Road on the Friday 14th May, where Ruth has lived since her return to Dublin. I’ll head straight down to Baltinglass for the first leg spend the day with Ruths family before setting off for Europe. On Sunday morning, I will travel to Wexford, with Mark (Ruths brother) and Kev (Ruths close friend) kindly accompanying me for this part of the journey. Then it’s the ferry to Wales, cycle down through southern England, followed by another ferry across to northern France. I’ll travel down past Bordeaux and through (or over!) the Pyrenees. Then I’ll head straight for the Spanish East coast, where hopefully the fresh sea air will keep me cool! Eventually, the aim is to end up in Nerja on the southeast coast of Spain around mid July…fingers crossed!

I’m asking that you all dig deep in your pockets to donate for this amazing cause. All donations go straight to the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association. I’ll keep updating the page and you’ll even be able to track me live so I can’t cheat”.

To donate and for more information please visit Alisdair’s Just Giving page by clicking here.

Malcolm McGrath’s 1,000K in May

May 10th, 2021

In May 2020, Malcom’s wife Sinead was diagnosed with MND. For the 1 year anniversary of Sinead’s diagnosis, Malcolm is undertaking 1000K in May!

He will cycle this 1,000k on the road and on his turbo trainer continually updating via Strava all in aid of Research Motor Neurone and the IMNDA. Why not join Malcolm in taking on this challenge.

For more see here

Midsummer Monday Marathon!!

May 10th, 2021

Vanessa Davey is hosting our very own 2021 Midsummer Monday Marathon. From the beginning of April until June 21st, Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Day, walk, run or cycle as much as you like.

Take a picture and post on social media on June 21st with the hashtag #MMMforIMNDA. You do not have to take part in the fitness element if you do not wish to do so. You can still donate to our fundraiser!

For more see here

Sunrise for Brain Conditions

May 10th, 2021

“Sunrise For Brain Conditions Up Croagh Patrick” is an annual Sponsored climb up Croagh Patrick, Westport, Co Mayo.

This is the 7th year of the Sunrise up Croagh Patrick and the IMNDA is delighted to be one of the chosen charities once again. Your support and participation in 2021 will help 4 worthy Brain Condition charities provide much needed specialist care and support to those that need it most.

We hope that the physical event will go ahead in June but please note the Virtual challenge will run regardless!

What is the Challenge?

27,000 steps = 20.5 Km = the equivalent of a Croagh Patrick Climb.

Walk, Run, Dance, Climb your stairs or whatever way you choose. Do it anytime during June 1st-27th 2021. Do it once, twice or more…..

How many Virtual Croagh Patrick’s can you do?

Set your Target (whatever you think is a good challenge for you.
Post it on Social Media and tag/challenge 5 others using #sunriseupcroaghpatrick & #SunriseForBrainConditions.
Post photos of your progress (record sheet or app count) and videos of yourself doing steps to motivate your donors.
Prizes will be awarded for the best posts uploaded before midnight June 26th 2021.

It’s very simple to get involved and support the IMNDA – set up your iDonate page and ask your family, friends and colleagues to sponsor you. Just follow the very simple instructions below:

Or, if you just want to donate visit: www.idonate.ie/IMNDASunriseUpCP

Build up your steps to hit your target during June. Do it in your home, garden or during your daily exercise outdoors.

(However please respect the HSE Covid-19 directions per the following link:
https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/

For more information please visit: https://www.SunriseForBrainConditions.org

Thank you so much for your support!

Summer Cycling Jersey – On Sale Now!

May 10th, 2021

This is a wonderful opportunity for all you keen cyclists out there to secure a summer jersey. The jersey is available to purchase from Spin 11 for €54.99 + delivery of €6.35. Check out the stylish design below. For every jersey purchased a donation will be made to the IMNDA. Orders must be placed by 21st May and your jersey should arrive by 6th July. The size guide for the jerseys is available once you register and are ready to place your order.

Don’t miss out! Time to get cycle ready for the summer!

We need you!!

April 14th, 2021

We couldn’t provide our vital services without your support. When you sign up and get involved with one of our annual campaigns you are making a real difference to people with MND.

Over 80% of our income comes from fundraising and donations and demand for our services are at an all-time high. Please take on a challenge and help us to continue providing care and support to those who need it most.

So what can you do? To find out more about the IMNDA’s annual events and campaigns please visit: https://fundraise.imnda.ie/

The Impact of an IMNDA Wheelchair

April 1st, 2021

IMNDA and Wheelchairs

Freedom and independence come in so many different forms
“It’s my best friend”
Manoeuvrability – “It turns on a sixpence”

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Chief Executive Officer Job Vacancy

April 1st, 2021

The IMNDA is looking to fill the role of Chief Executive Officer

About the Organisation

The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) supports people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), their families and carers by providing services and supports throughout Ireland including home visits by specialist MND nurses and the supply of specialised equipment on loan. The IMNDA also represents and advocates for people living with MND, their families and carers at a national level.

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Coping with Stress as a Person with MND

March 31st, 2021

“To say my world was turned upside-down that day in clinic is an understatement. I was expecting bad news, but the diagnosis came as a terrible shock. Some days, even now, I stop and ask myself has this actually happened,” ~ Person with MND

A diagnosis of motor neurone disease is life changing. For many people, it comes as a devastating blow, both to the person diagnosed and their loved ones. It’s normal to feel very distressed around the time of diagnosis. It brings shock and often profound sadness. For many, it comes at a time in life when they were preparing to enjoy retirement. For others, it arrives when they are in the middle of their working life and raising young families. Grief at the loss of the future you thought was ahead can hit like a tidal wave. (more…)

Living Well – HSE Support for Caregivers

March 25th, 2021

Are you a caregiver?

Building Better Caregivers: classes are highly participatory, where mutual support and success build the participants’ confidence in their ability to manage their caregiving tasks and maintain a fulfilling life (more…)

Rock While You Can

March 15th, 2021

Fundraising For Aidlink and Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

‘ROCK WHILE YOU CAN’ ALL OVER THE WORLD! CALLING ROCK FAMILIES EVERYWHERE!

In these extraordinary times the Transition Year Team are calling on all members of the Blackrock College Community, along with all supporters of Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) and Aidlink, all around the world to attempt an extraordinary feat! Whether you are a member of the Blackrock College, IMNDA or Aidlink community (or all three!), on Saturday April 24th 2021 we are inviting students, parents, past pupils, family, friends to walk/jog/run 5km in aid of these incredibly worthwhile causes.

All you have to do is choose your 5km route, invite others to join you (within government restrictions of course), donate whatever you can to the event iDonate page by clicking here and get out on or around the 24th April to complete your 5k! The IMNDA would like to thank Blackrock College for choosing us as a beneficiary of their annual run; it is a cause very close to their hearts as their local priest Father Tony Coote sadly passed away from MND.

New Job: Maternity Cover for PR & Communications Executive

March 11th, 2021

We are currently seeking Maternity Cover for our PR & Communications Executive. For more on this post and how to apply, please see information below: (more…)

Remembering Mums this Mother’s Day

March 11th, 2021

For most of us, Mum’s are like buttons. They hold everything together. They are constant in their care and support for us. Guiding us through life’s struggles and triumphs. Their love is an everlasting embrace that never stops or falters. Even when they are no longer with us.

In the lead up to Mother’s Day, three of our fabulous supporters share with us stories and precious memories of their Mums. (more…)

New virtual supports available for MND during Covid

March 1st, 2021

Back in March 2020, the Health Research Board (HRB) in cooperation with the Irish Research Council (IRC) launched the COVID-19 Rapid Response Call to fund research to provide evidence for the national and global efforts to deal with the virus outbreak. The funding process was a highly competitive one and several awards were received by Trinity investigators. (more…)