Lecture theatre honour for ‘tenacious’ MND campaigner

Gordon Aikman, motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner, is being honoured by his former university a year after his death.

The University of Edinburgh is to rename the George Square Lecture Theatre – the largest on campus – in memory of Mr Aikman, a Business School graduate, who raised more than £500,000 for research into the condition.

Mr Aikman, who successfully lobbied the First Minister to publicly fund and double the number of specialist MND nurses across Scotland, died from the debilitating disease in February last year, aged 31.

Kirkcaldy-born Mr Aikman was diagnosed with MND in June 2014 while working as director of research during the Better Together campaign.

He then launched a “Fivepoint Fightback” campaign calling for increased funding to find a cure for the condition, winning support from all political parties Uk-wide.

In 2015, the former student received an honorary doctorate from the university and a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Both accolades recognised his work to raise awareness of MND and achieve better care and treatment for those diagnosed.

Joe Pike, Mr Aikman’s husband, said: “We are all very touched by the university’s very generous decision. It seems fitting that Gordon’s work as a campaigner has been recognised after a campaign by the student body he was once an active member of.

“And how wonderful that the lecture hall Gordon sat in aged 18 as a first year business student, will now bear his name,” added Mr Pike, who is a political journalist.

The formal naming ceremony of the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre and plaque unveiling with Mr Aikman’s family and friends will take place later this year.

Welcoming the tribute, Professor Charlie Jeffery, the university’s senior vice-principal, said: “Gordon Aikman was a tenacious campaigner.

“By striving to change the quality and funding of care and research, he helped to improve the lives of people living with MND and was an inspiration to many.

“We are delighted to honour his remarkable achievements in this way.”

The university is home to the Euan Macdonald Centre, a world-leading hub for MND research.

The move to rename the lecture theatre was proposed by the university’s Student Union.

Patrick Kilduff, president of the Students’ Association, said: “On behalf of students of Edinburgh past and present, we are so proud that a student as inspiring and important as Gordon is being honoured by having the largest lecture theatre in the university named after him.

“It is appropriate his legacy and fight to raise awareness around MND will continue for years to come.” 0 Gordon Aikman was diagnosed with MND in June 2014 and launched a campaign calling for increased funding to find a cure