Fundraiser launched for £21k to send veteran to Swiss MND clinic
A major fundraising campaign has been launched to help an Elland army veteran travel to Switzerland for pioneering treatment for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Family, friends, and colleagues are rallying round to support 47-year-old Paul Randall from Elland.
A few months ago the former member of the First Battalion Duke of Wellington Regiment (West Riding) received the devastating news that he’d been struck down by the debilitating illness.
The diagnosis came after Paul, who is now a lorry driver at the time for a local cement company, noticed difficulties in the gym.
He said: “My left arm suddenly appeared much weaker, and I needed to use my right arm to compensate for exercises.
"The same soon happened to the whole of the left side of my body and I started to limp.
“It became clear that something was wrong and so I went to the doctor and started having all sorts of tests including an MRI scan and CT scan. I was eventually referred to a specialist neurologist who confirmed the worst news.
“It was certainly a massive kick in the teeth, and it completely knocked me for six. MND is life-shortening and there is no cure. Although the disease will progress, symptoms can be managed to help achieve the best possible quality of life. Through his internet research, Paul has now heard about a stem cell clinic in Switzerland for MND patients.
But the intensive eight-day course of treatment costs a massive £21,000.
Paul has set up his own Go Fund Me page which has already raised £2,600 and local events have boosted the total to £9,000.
Now campaigners hope to meet the target to allow Paul to travel to the Swiss clinic through a dedicated programme of events.
Earlier this month the Blind Pig, Sowerby Bridge hosted Paul Fest that featured a host of popular local bands.
Also this month Dean Barton, whose father Alan was in the hit-making duo Black Lace, hosted a music gig in Malta which will be streamed across the internet.
Paul concludes: “Everyone has been absolutely amazing and I can’t thank them enough. Friends and family are certainly doing all they can to support me.”