Our History
The founder of MND Scotland, John MacLeod (pictured right), his wife Peggy, and their young family moved to Glasgow in 1973 when John took up a post with Strathclyde Police.
1981
Early in 1981, John was diagnosed as having Motor Neurone Disease.
On 12th May 1981, at Knightswood Community Centre in Glasgow, the first meeting of what is now known as the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association took place.
The first recorded assistance offered by the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association was on 4th August 1981 when a telephone was installed for a patient with MND in the Lothian Region.
1982
On 28th June 1982, £30,000 was handed over for research into MND within Scotland.
Through agreement with the Muscular Dystrophy group, their patient care officer, Muriel Watt, saw her first MND patient in July 1982.
1984
In April 1984, two patient care officers were jointly funded to work with MND and Muscular Dystrophy.
1985
In 1985, the first paid member of staff for the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association was appointed on a part time basis.
1988
28th August 1988, inaugural meeting of the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association research committee.
At the end of 1988, the first fully funded, full time family care officers for MND, Rita Walker and Shona Henderson, were appointed.
Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association headquarters moved from Ingram Street to Parnie Street, Glasgow at the end of 1988. This was also the base for MND Scotland's charity shop.
1993
Jan 1993 saw the appointment of a family care officer for the Grampian and Highland region.
1994
Due to the increasing activities of the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association, the first Chief Executive, Captain Tim Lightoller, was appointed on 1st September 1994.
1996
February 1996, Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association headquarters moves to its current location at 76 Firhill Road, Glasgow.
1997
The Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association, hosts the International Symposium on ASL/MND in Glasgow in November 1997.
1999
Tayside and Fife care centre opened in October 1999
Library and Information Service started
2001
In June 2001, the first new branch in over 10 years was launched to cover the Dumfries and Galloway region.
2002
21st Anniversary of the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association celebrations
2004
Befriending Service started in Fife and Tayside
Counselling Service started
2005
Education Service started
2006
25th Anniversary of the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association celebrations
2007
Rolling programme of PhD research grants awarded
2008
Newsletter AWARE revamped and redesigned
2009
The working name of the organisation is changed from the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association to MND Scotland and the logo of the blue cornflower is adopted.
Welfare & Benefits Service started
MND Scotland is a registered charity. All of our services are free to people living in Scotland with MND and their families. Often, we are the only source of support.
Our services and support will cost more than £1 million this year, meaning we need to raise almost £20,000 every week.
We receive little financial support form the NHS or government.
None of our work would be possible without the generous support of our donors and fundraisers.