Glasgow nurse Marlene raises over £600 in memory of her Dad.

Marlene Hay (48), from Riddrie, is celebrating after raising over £600 to support MND Scotland after losing her father to Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in May 2010.

Marlene, a Specialist Nurse in Infection Prevention and Control at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, raised the funds by taking on a range of charity challenges, including a 7-day 500-mile cycle around the north of Scotland and a sponsored walk over fiery embers and broken glass.

Marlene’s most recent challenge involved a Firewalk, hot enough to melt aluminium, and a Glasswalk, containing shards from over 1000 broken wine bottles. The challenge took place pitch side at Hampden Park on Friday 12th October, where she was joined by dozens of supporters raising awareness and funds for the same cause.

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided. There is currently no cure or effective treatment for MND and the average life expectancy from diagnosis is just 20 months.

She decided to take on the challenge in memory of her father, Alastair Hay, who was diagnosed with MND in February 2010. Alastair later died 3 months after receiving his MND diagnosis.

Marlene said: “My father passed away 8 years ago after being diagnosed with MND. My dad was already in the advanced stages of MND by the time he was diagnosed in February 2010 and sadly he died 3 months later in May.

“In the short time we had with my dad after the diagnosis, MND Scotland was there to offer as much support as they could to make my dad as comfortable as possible and to help us all come to terms with the reality of the diagnosis.

“As well as the practical support for my dad, like providing essential equipment such as a wheelchair, MND Scotland provided us with all the advice we needed and were still there after my dad died, offering support to me and my family.”

“I was apprehensive and slightly scared about doing both a Firewalk and a Glasswalk in one night, however it was only a small thing to try and thank MND Scotland for their support.

“I also found it quite emotional, especially the Firewalk, seeing the determination on everyone’s faces and knowing that everyone who participated had been affected by MND in some way and yet they were all making a difference.

“I have also completed a cycle around the NC500 in 7 days to raise funds and I’m thrilled to have raised over £600 so far.

Iain McWhirter, MND Scotland’s Head of Fundraising, said: “I’d like to thank Marlene for all she has done to raise awareness and funds to support people in Scotland affected by MND.

“We wouldn’t be able to provide care, information and support to people affected by MND in Scotland, as well as fund vital research, if it weren’t for people like Marlene standing behind us.”

You can still sponsor Marlene and support MND Scotland on her JustGiving page.