The ScotRail Alliance today announced that MND Scotland has been chosen by their employees to be their new nominated charity.
The charity topped an internal poll of nominations from ScotRail Alliance employees, who will raise money for the charity in a variety of events over the next three years.
It is expected that the partnership will be worth at least £150,000 over the three years.
Speaking at the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, Rob Shorthouse, the ScotRail Alliance’s communications director, said:
“I am absolutely delighted that we will be working with MND Scotland over the course of the next three years. I know that our 7500 staff will be doing everything they can to raise as much money as possible to help find a cure for this most terrible of diseases.
“However, it is not just about the money that we will raise while we are working together. We will also work hard to raise awareness of MND and to help support the people who are living with it.
“MND Scotland is an extraordinary charity doing extraordinary work right across our country. We are really proud that our staff and customers will have the opportunity over the next three years to help support them.”
Craig Stockton, CEO of MND Scotland, said: “We are thrilled to be named as the ScotRail Alliance’s charity partner.
“Knowing that so many ScotRail and Network Rail employees voted for MND Scotland and want to help us in the fight against Motor Neurone Disease is inspiring.
“Staff, customers and partners will now play a vital role in taking us closer to a cure for MND and help us support those affected in their local areas.
“This is also a fantastic opportunity for us all to raise greater awareness and help more people understand the impact of this devastating disease.
“This is a journey to find a cure and improve the lives of those affected by MND across Scotland. Through this partnership we can make a real difference.”
The ScotRail Alliance, and its 7500 employees, will be supporting the charity with a wide range of activities across the country, including dress-down days, and an RSNO concert in a ScotRail station.
Notes
- MND Scotland is the ScotRail Alliance charity partner until 2020.
- The charity was chosen by ScotRail Alliance employees after an extensive selection process, including open nominations and a poll of the entire business.
- Employees across the country will take part in events ranging from bucket shakes in stations to bake sales to raise money for the charity partner.
- The charity will be awarded four sessions per year in the operator’s state-of-the-art driver training simulator to use for fundraising purposes.
- All ScotRail Alliance employees are able to donate to charity through their salary, as part of the payroll giving scheme.
The funds raised by the ScotRail Alliance will 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 people affected by Motor Neurone Disease throughout Scotland
- Raise awareness together, which will provide a valuable future legacy that extends beyond the timescales of the partnership.
About MND Scotland
MND Scotland is the only charity in Scotland providing care and information for people affected by MND as well as funding for research. It was founded in 1981 by MND patient and Strathclyde police officer John Macleod.
Awareness of the charity has been raised greatly by the courageous fight of Gordon Aikman, who was diagnosed at the age of just 29. His campaign, ‘Gordon’s Fightback’, raised over £500,000 in just two years and helped improve care for patients in Scotland. Gordon sadly passed away in February this year.
About Motor Neurone Disease
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided. There is currently no cure or effective treatment for MND and the average life expectancy from diagnosis is just 14 months. There are over 450 people in Scotland currently living with MND and on average over 160 new cases of MND are diagnosed each year.