A Salford hairdresser recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) has taken on the MND1000 Challenge in the hope of raising both money and awareness for the disease.
John Edmondson, 61, is hoping to do 1000 assisted press-ups over 10 days which is made much more difficult with his condition.
He is joined by his friend and former business partner, Paul Donegan, also 61, as well as a team of others – which has grown from originally being three to now a group of fourteen.
According to Donegan, Edmondson chose press-ups because that was his speciality when he was a ‘fitness guru’, but it is down to the individual to do what they want, when and where they want.
Edmondson was diagnosed with the disease four years ago and will be posting updates on his Facebook page, including different themed videos of his press-ups over the 10-day period.
Unfortunately, Edmondson can no longer speak due to his condition but his son Max Edmondson, 22, is featured alongside him in the posts on social media.
He is hoping that through the MND1000 Challenge, created by Edmondson and Donegan themselves, a cure for the terminal disease can be found.
Donegan, who has chosen to do 1000 minutes of exercise over 10 days, said: “John needed some focus as his condition was worsening, and with lockdown preventing normal get-togethers, we came up with this idea.
“It has certainly helped him and all the people that have contributed in terms of participation, donation, or just support has been heart-warming.
“There has been some great banter between the guys – some of it unprintable – but we are trying to keep [John’s] spirits high and it is working in that respect.
“The challenge is helping both my physical and mental health, especially during lockdown. It’s inspiring to see John doing what he can for others.
“We need to work together to find a cure for this dreadful disease, and awareness and funding will turn the promising trials that are going on into a reality.
“I am immensely proud of John and to be a part of a great team that are supporting him and others living with this cruellest of diseases.”
The team’s JustGiving page can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/team/MND1000Challenge
The MND1000 Facebook page can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/THEMND1000
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