Brave Helen’s a true inspiration
VILLAGERS RALLY FOR MUM WITH MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE
TRAPPED in a paralysed body Helen Easby will proudly watch fellow villagers rally together to play 24 hours of football in her honour.
Struck down with motor neurone disease, the 52-year-old hangs on to life as her illness progressively gets worse.
But big-hearted residents in Haydon Bridge in Northumberland are joining forces to raise money to help fund necessary research.
On June 30, a host of five-a-side teams will play continuous soccer as Helen soaks up the atmosphere. She is confined to a wheelchair and is looked after by her family and a care team, but her determination is remarkable as she battles through another year.
And family friend, Phil Sim, is behind the football event being held at Haydon Bridge Football Club.
Helen, mum to Jessica, 25, James, 21, and 20-year-old Joseph, said: “Our friends have been very supportive since I was diagnosed with MND. It’s nice to see everyone pull together and
raise money for a very worthy cause. I couldn’t believe when I heard that Phil had arranged this event and I felt overwhelmed that so many people are supporting his efforts. “I am looking forward to attending the event and watching my husband attempt to play football and I might have a spell in goal.” Former teacher Helen was diagnosed with MND – a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system – in October 2014 after she started losing movement in her arms. The diagnosis came as a huge shock to her family as the loving mum had always lived a full and healthy life. But through adversity she retains a sense of humour. Now having to speak through a machine, her family giggle over the fact she has a swear button. H u s b a n d Andrew, 52, a retired police officer, said: “It is wrenching to see Helen like this, “She was the most confident person you could meet, it’s a very cruel disease. It takes your physical and mental health. It completely knocks the stuffing out of you. To see some- one you love go through this is gutwrenching.”
Andrew and sons James and Joseph will be taking part in the 24-hour football, while daughter Jessica will be helping out with refreshments.
Phil, Jessica’s life-long school friend, came up with the idea after developing a bond with Helen. And all money raised will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Jessica, a marketing executive, said: “It was a huge shock when mum was diagnosed. I thought she had a trapped nerve or something and then to be told she had five years to live was horrendous. The villagers have been wonderful with us. We moved into our gran and grandad’s bungalow because our other house wasn’t suitable for her wheelchair and the village came together to renovate it for us. It was amazing how everyone came together and they are doing it again.
“Another man in the village was also diagnosed with MND and he died last year, so MND is close to the village’s heart. Phil and I have known each other since we were five so it was lovely for him to organise this event because of mum.”
Phil, 25, said: “Throughout my life I have been fortunate enough to get to know Helen very well and it is impossible not to grow an immediate affection towards her.”
Anyone who would like to donate can visit Phil’s Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/Phil-Sim