A fundraiser is being held across the country today to help support those suffering the devastating Motor Neurone Disease.
There is no effective treatment for the terminal neurological condition, which is also known as ALS.
It leads to the death of nerve cells, which control the muscles that enable people to move, speak, breathe and swallow. With no nerves to activate them, muscles gradually weaken and waste away, causing increasing loss of mobility in the limbs, and difficulties with speech, swallowing and breathing.
About 100 New Zealanders are diagnosed with it each year and are generally given about two to three years to live.
"It's really debilitating. For the person with the disease it's like watching your body close down really," says President of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association Beth Watson.
This morning the first nationwide Walk 2'D Feet Motor Neurone Disease event is being held in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Each walk will be somewhere between 3km to 4km on flat terrain that is wheelchair friendly.
Beth Watson said along with raising funds, it's about bringing the community together in a show of strength and support.
"I'm inspired everyday by people living with MND and it’s important that we stand together and recognise people’s determination and spirit in the face of this cruel disease.”
Half the money raised will go towards services for sufferers, such as information, advocacy and emotional support.
The other half will go towards supporting MND research in New Zealand.
All the walks begin at 10.30am. People can head along from 9am and register to take part. Full details are at www.walk2dfeetmnd.co.nz
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