The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
MND campaigner smashes £500,000 fundraising target
Charity: Fifer Gordon Aikman determined not to let illness beat him
An inspirational campaigner from Fife who has been raising money for research into a cure for the condition that is killing him has smashed his £500,000 target.
Gordon Aikman, from Kirkcaldy, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease two years ago at the age of 29, but he has been determined not to let the debilitating illness prevent him from raising funds for research and lobbying for better care for people with the condition.
Soon after his diagnosis he founded GordonsFightback.com and his fundraising drive has received almost 6,000 donations.
The £500,000 milestone has now been passed and the former policy boss at the Better Together campaign is not resting on his laurels.
“This money will change lives,” he said.
“It makes me immensely proud to know that research is happening today, as we speak, that simply would not have been possible without these vital funds.
“To everyone who has helped us reach this incredible milestone, thank you.
“Together we have brought forward the day we live in a world free from MND.”
Gordon has received numerous accolades including an honorary doctorate from Edinburgh University and a British Empire Medal from the Queen.
A series of fundraising events have been behind his success including highprofile comedy gigs, marathons, pub quizzes and bake sales, and his monthly column the Motor Neurone Diaries.
Iain McWhirter, head of fundraising at MND Scotland, said: “We cannot thank Gordon enough for everything he has achieved in the past two years for the MND community.”