MND Fundraising Champion
1576. Cath Muir
Cath Muir, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, has been a longstanding fundraiser for motor neurone disease charities, raising over £60,000 since her diagnosis with the condition in 2014 through activities such as sponsored walks and tandem bike rides.
Cath Muir was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in April 2014, which affects nerves in the brain and spinal cord and causes weakness in the muscles, leading to reduced mobility. Determined to keep as active as possible and raise awareness of the condition, Cath has held sponsored walks and tandem bike rides across North Yorkshire to fundraise for MND charities including ‘MND Association’. Over the past six years, she has raised more than £60,000, and while unable to continue her sponsored challenges in 2020 due to lockdown restrictions, Cath has still been fundraising by painting greetings cards which have been sold nationwide in support of ‘MND Association’. Cath is also a baker and has run a tea room in Richmond. She now bakes from a specially adapted kitchen created for her in her garage, and has been cooking and volunteers have delivered hundreds of her meals for vulnerable and elderly members of her community during the pandemic.
In a personal letter to Cath, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I am filled with admiration for your one woman meal factory and how you have devoted yourself to looking after others during the pandemic. Your acts of kindness give hope and comfort in these challenging times.
“With your painted cards and calendar, you have also found innovative ways to support MND charities, a cause so close to your heart. Your fantastic fundraising efforts will do so much to help others living with motor neurone disease.”
Watch below as Cath is surprised with news of her award from her local MP, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer: