A Renfrewshire railway station has raised more than £10,000 for charity.
ScotRail staff at Johnstone station have raised a total of £10,325 in aid of the train operator’s official charity partner, MND Scotland.
The station’s fundraising activity has included sponsored step challenges, fancy dress days, and gigs in one of Glasgow’s popular music venues, Ivory Blacks.
MND Scotland were announced as ScotRail’s charity partner in 2017 and since then, together with Network Rail Scotland, an incredible £278,333 has been donated to the charity through staff fundraising, customer donations and gifts-in kind.
The funds raised by the partnership help MND Scotland to fund more research in Scotland to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease; fund the practical, emotional, and financial support MND Scotland gives to people affected by Motor Neurone Disease and raise awareness to create a valuable legacy.
Susan Temple, Johnstone Station Ticket Office, said:
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have raised more than £10,000 for this great cause, but raising awareness about this terrible disease is just as important as raising funds.
“It’s been a real team effort, and we couldn’t have done it would the support of our local community, including Provost Lorraine Cameron who has had personal experience with MND.”
Morag McGown, MND Scotland’s Corporate Partnerships Manager, said:
“We have been overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of staff and customers at Johnstone station. Without fundraisers like this, we simply wouldn’t be able to continue providing life-changing support to families living with MND in Scotland right now, or fund the ground-breaking research which is taking us closer to a cure.
“This year is MND Scotland’s 40th anniversary and everyone has gone above and beyond to support the cause, particularly when times are so hard for many. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. I would also like to thank Provost Lorraine Cameron for her ongoing support to raise funds and awareness.”
You can help MND Scotland fight back against MND by donating at www.mndscotland.org.uk/40 .
Notes
About MND
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a rapidly progressing terminal neurological illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This causes muscle weakness and wasting.
Symptoms may include losing the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided.
Average life expectancy is just 18 months after diagnosis.*
There are around 400 people in Scotland currently living with MND.
On average almost 200 people are diagnosed each year in Scotland.*
*data from the Scottish MND Register.
About MND Scotland
MND Scotland is the leading charity in Scotland providing care and support to people affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND), as well as powering cutting-edge research to find a cure. We also campaign on behalf of people affected by MND to improve quality of life, and raise awareness of the disease, to ensure their voice is heard.