May 23rd, 2022
A massive well done to the Ladies in the Mullingar ICA who knitted chicks for Easter and raised €1,200 for IMNDA which they presented to Todd Nugent.
In the picture are – left to right- Ann McDonagh, Todd Nugent (Ambassador for IMNDA), Phil Kiernan (Treasurer of Mullingar ICA and knitter of the chicks that raised the funds for IMNDA), Helen O’Gorman (President of Westmeath ICA) and Margaret Hughes (Secretary of Mullingar ICA).
May 20th, 2022
This June, get ready for a cup of something really special!
June is Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Month. 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 2021, some of your tea parties took place online and some of you held yours outside in the lovely June sunshine… and it was another successful year with Drink Tea for MND raising €206,000 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!
May 18th, 2022
We want to wish good luck to Andrew Grennan and all the crew taking part in the Roonagh Pier to Clare Island challenge!!
A fun and enthusiastic group of people living in east Mayo are going to swim & kayak from Roonagh Peir to Clare Island on the 28th of May at 9.30 am where everyone will be welcome to send them off. There will be a BBQ, Music and Craic later that day on the Island where they hope to see all, everyone welcome!!
They have chosen to fundraise for three fantastic charities BUMBLEance, Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and The Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery Service, All funds raised here will go directly to these great causes. For more on this event, please visit here!
On behalf of the IMNDA, we would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support and wish them all good luck, including our ambassador Sarah Ryan!!
May 13th, 2022
“I think it was Van Morrison’s Momma who told us there were Days Like These.
Last Saturday was a day that will live long in the memory of the 30 or so brave souls who struck out at first light from Everest Base Camp ( a.k.a. the Lansdowne Car Park) to ascend the heights of Three Rock in memory of our old pal Ingo and all of our members and friends who have suffered with the terrible affliction of Motor Neurone Disease.
It was a day to treasure as old friendships were rekindled, old stories retold, old games reimagined and old battle scars compared as we trudged the 26 kilometres there and back all the while revelling in the brotherhood and warmth of the Lansdowne family.
Five hours of walking and talking without the usual distractions of TV, phones (or drink!) was a welcome antidote from the usual pressure of every day life and is to be recommended!
The day started out with a gathering of willing bodies blinking in the early morning light and sipping on a cup of Kermie’s finest instant coffee in a selection of mugs collected from his kitchen!
In a cruel twist of fate both Kermie and Aidan Delaney were struck down with Covid in the week before the big day and had to readjust their plans.
Aidan did what all good men would do in the circumstances and signed up his better half Petrina and two sons to take his place ( three for the price of one!) while Kermie took on duties of a Sherpa and drove the support vehicle while arranging supplies among the way !
There was wild talk of bacon butties being supplied at he base of the mountain but sadly this proved to be beyond the organisational capacity of the support crew ( Kermie) and we were treated to more instant coffee and Mars Bars instead !
There was much talk of taking one for the team, belt tightening and back slapping as we slogged up the last few kilometres to the summit where the highlight of the day was the arrival of the one and only Paddy Halpenny whose mental fortitude and determination were a tonic for the troops. Hats off to Halpo who dug deep and showed us all what can be done if the body is creaking but the mind is willing!
Spirits were high as we made the turn and headed for home secure in the knowledge that it was downhill all the way.
Kermie made up for his early setback by emerging through the mist with a supply of sandwiches and Energy Drinks as we made the turn for home.
There was a vicious rumour doing the rounds that Big Moley and himself were spotted skipping arm and arm into the nearest Spar for badly needed provisions!
To paraphrase the great AC / DC …. ‘Its a long way to the shop if you want a sausage roll’.
JF ‘soft hands’ Burke proceeded to show off his long forgotten waitering skills by dropping a full tray of sandwiches on to the road outside the Spar much to the joy of the local seagulls!
Hard to believe but he actually turned a redder shade of Red than the Munster jersey he was wearing!
As we approached the home stretch we were joined by the ranks of the Climb for Ingo Lite Brigade led by the indomitable John Kearney who took on the task of walking from Lansdowne to the Dropping Well and back and who made up for their shorter walk by infusing us with a new level of enthusiam as the thought of lunch and pints drew nearer!
The day was enriched by the presence of Ingo’s kids John and Rachel who carried his spirit with grace and who hopefully got a taste of how much he was loved by us all.
Special mention goes out to Mark and Caroline McMahon who led from the front striking out at the ungodly hour of 6.30 am and clearing the path for all that followed!
Big shout out to Mark Forrest who came up with the idea of celebrating Ingo while connecting into the Climb for Charlie campaign to raise funds for MND and our GoFundMe page is set to hit the €20k mark, a fitting testament to the generosity of the Lansdowne family and friends.
Also a special mention for Katie Boylan and John Dawson for coordinating and sponsoring the promotional gear including the now much sought after ‘Climb For Ingo’ baseball caps and also thanks to Elaine for pulling it all together on the day.
Solace for aching limbs was the order of the day as we matched our 5 hours of walking with 5 hours of ‘analysis’ in the clubhouse afterwards and the only wrinkle on what Lou Reed would describe as the ‘Perfect Day’ was the loss to Terenure in the big AIL Game.
Nobody’s perfect and I think even Van Morrisons’s Momma would grant us that.
Johnnie Lombard
On behalf of the IMNDA and Norman Hughes, IMNDA Board member being presented with the cheque for a huge €20,586.66, we would like to say thank you to Colin, Mark, Johnnie & all involved with Climb for Ingo and for raising this wonderful sum.
May 13th, 2022
2022 Irish Life Dublin City Marathon – 30th October @ 8:45am
Charity fundraising has always been at the heart of the Dublin Marathon, with over €9 million raised each year by our amazing runners. The marathon is SOLD OUT but the IMNDA is delighted to announce that we have a very limited number of charity places available that will take our fundraising efforts to new heights!
Taking on the Dublin City Marathon on 30th October supports those that need it most and sends a very real message that our MND families are not alone as they go through their journey with this disease. With your help the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association is with them every step of the way as we will be with you for your 26 miles.
You’ll receive a whole host of benefits as a charity runner but most of all you will make a very real difference to families living with MND.
We are happy to cover the cost of your marathon registration, but we ask that you set a fundraise target for a minimum of €1,000.
Find out more – here
If you already have your marathon place and would like to fundraise for the IMNDA, you can create your page right here:
Thank you
May 12th, 2022
The wonderful Barry McCabe at Knockma Hill in Belclare with his 2 little girls Ruby & Maisie. Barry raised the fantastic sum of €37,088.03 from the Climb With Charlie campaign back in April! A heartfelt thanks to Barry and all the wonderful people who supported him on this epic journey. We would also like to say thank you to Barry for raising awareness of MND by sharing his story along with Karla Quinn on a podcast ‘On the Gab with Ronan Lardner and can be listened to here
May 10th, 2022
Glenfin Area Council held an Easter Quiz in Cloghan Day Centre in support of IMNDA and the day centre and raised €525 for IMNDA.
In the picture: Florence Blackburn, Michael Tourish, Anne Bonar Gallagher, Ellen Tourish, Eugene Moy and Annie Gallagher.
Thanks to all involved and a special thanks to Annie who was quiz mistress for the event.
May 6th, 2022
The NDA is an independent statutory body that provides information and advice to government regarding policies and practices relevant to the lives of disabled people. They have launched an online survey on wellbeing and social inclusion. The online survey is still open (www.howsitgoing.ie) and we would really appreciate your support in promoting awareness about the survey and encouraging people to complete it. There is also an option to complete the survey by telephone or in an Easy to Read format. For more information, please research@nda.ie
May 5th, 2022
Living with Motor Neurone Disease: A complete guide
Every two days someone on the island of Ireland is diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). MND is a neurodegenerative condition in which the nerves that control voluntary muscles stop working. This affects ordinary everyday activities that we take for granted. Walking, talking, even breathing may become virtually impossible.
Being diagnosed with MND can be difficult which is why the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) has launched “Living with Motor Neurone Disease: A complete guide.” This publication is the first of its kind in Ireland. It is a vital resource, designed to provide all the information needed to negotiate a path through the challenges that MND may present.
Speaking at the launch in University College Dublin, RTE’s Claire Byrne said, “Navigating the path following a life changing diagnosis can be bewildering and exhausting. This wonderful book shines a guiding light on the road ahead with the experts who have walked it- the medics, the caregivers and, perhaps most importantly, those who are living with Motor Neurone Disease. I know this guide will provide some comfort to those who are starting on this road and their families, whose burden will only be eased if we all commit to supporting them.”
While MND is a rare disease it is a devastating diagnosis so good quality information from people who understand MND is vital. It takes time to learn about MND, to absorb the implications of it; to talk about it; to let family adjust to it; to help friends understand it and to learn to live a life that is altered in which the future is changed and the present is challenging. Living with Motor Neurone Disease: A complete guide is a practical and reassuring book at this time.
Speaking at the launch Lillian McGovern CEO, IMNDA said “We are delighted to have this book available for the families and carers of those with MND. The book provides practical information on managing MND and provides an insight into the many varying and challenging aspects of the illness. We hope that it will also inform healthcare professionals working with families in supporting them through their MND journey.”
Living with Motor Neurone Disease is a step-by-step guide. It explains what MND is, how it is diagnosed and managed; how it affects the individual and the family; the psychological dimensions of the condition; the caregiver experience; living with the condition and facing the future too. It shows how to talk to children and adolescents, how to tell family and friends, how to adapt working conditions and home life. It describes all the supports; medical, psychological, mechanical, technological and practical to cope with the daily impact of living with MND particularly the crucial supports provided and coordinated by the IMNDA.
Living with Motor Neurone Disease is the fourth book in the Cork University Press MindYourSelf book series edited by Clinical Psychologist Dr Marie Murray. A diagnosis of MND can be overwhelming so good quality information and support from people who understand MND is vital at this time.
Speaking at the Launch, Dr Marie Murray said “We hope that what emerges from reading this MindYourSelf book is not how grim MND is but how astonishingly people cope with it; how great the love of families for each other; how concerned are friends, how expert the professionals; how determined the researchers to crack the code, find the cure and blitz it into history. The book is dedicated to all who are living with MND and everyone it has bereaved. Having collaborated with the IMNDA for the past two years on this book there are insufficient superlatives to describe what the IMNDA provides in compassionate practical care – all based on its maxim ‘until there is a cure, there is care.”
Prof Joe Carthy commented “This wonderful book, which will be so helpful for anyone touched by MND, forms part of the great legacy of the late Fr. Tony Coote. Fr. Tony was an inspirational figure whose “Walk while you can” campaign did so much to raise funds and awareness of MND. The idea for writing the book came from conversations Marie had with Fr. Tony.”
Living with Motor Neurone Disease: A complete guide is available from Cork University Press €14.95 at www.corkuniversitypress.com or from www.imnda.ie Royalties to Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association
ENDS
For further details, please contact Derbhla Wynne pr@imnda.ie or call (083) 014 7549
Photos provided by Garrett White Photography
May 5th, 2022
Marie Loftus and her friend Patricia Timlin decided to take on a fundraiser for Motor Neurone & Caner Care West. The duo walked 263km over 14 days from Mayo to the IMNDA office in Dublin! They had a target set of €2k but ended up raising an amazing amount of €4,462.50 for IMNDA & Cancer Care West. Marie took on this fundraiser with her friend Patricia in memory of her husband Eugene Loftus.
Below Marie and Patricia are pictured along their walk on the canal.. And also pictured is Marie & her late husband Eugene.
Thank you to both Marie & Patricia for their support.
May 4th, 2022
A huge thanks to the Tullamore Camera Club who raised €2,500 from a walk up Croghan Hill in Co Offaly for IMNDA on the 2nd of April.
Back Row: Joan Kenna, Mark Devery, Joseph Smith, Margaret Cocoman, Mary O’Grady, Aoife Nolan, Malgorata Marsalek and Sean Kenna.
Front Row: Bridie Roe (Secretary), David Gethings (Treasurer), Marie Kearns (Chairperson), Mary Therese Clancy (PRO) and Rosemary Cummins (Social Media).
May 3rd, 2022
A presentation from St Sylvester’s GAA was made to Séamus Bonner, a representative of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA). The proceeds of a local walk which coincided with Charlie Bird’s epic climb of Croagh Patrick on April 2nd last. The total raised was €4,225.
Thanks to everyone who contributed so generously.
Picture:- Séamus Bonner (IMNDA), Babara Condon (Chair, Healthy Club Committee), Stephen MacDonagh (Walk Organiser)
(and not forgetting Sadie in the back refusing to be left out)
April 21st, 2022
Held in Law Society of Ireland, Blackhall Place
Drinks reception at 18:30, Event starts at 19:00
Charity Raffle and Prizes on the night
In association with The Allingham Arts Festival, The Donegal Association and the Donegal Dublin Business Network.
Sponsored by Brian J McMullin Solicitors
Event in Aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (Donegal)
For tickets for this event, please visit here
April 21st, 2022
Well done to Charleville Golf Club who had a very successful Coffee Morning & Golf Fundraiser in memory of Joy Binchy and raised €9,000. Carmel Hennigan, Lady Captain presenting the cheque to Brian Binchy (Joy’ son).
