The most important cup of tea you will drink this year
This is a statistic that stops you in your tracks.
There are more than 450 people living with Motor Neurone Disease in Ireland and one person is diagnosed every two days with the condition.
Every. Two. Days.
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is often referred to as the 1,000 day disease.
Oliver Johnston, an intercity train driver, was given a diagnosis of MND in November 2023. He says he was shell shocked and in the dark when it came to understanding how the disease would affect him.
The needs of people with MND are complex and vary from person to person.
Oliver says, "The simple things we take for granted are no longer simple, like putting on socks, getting dressed, opening bottle tops, zips, buttons, laces, turning a key, brushing your teeth, putting gel in your hair."
“My life has been good, I have wonderful parents, five brothers and a sister, four great sons and a loving, caring, strong fiancé who will soon be my wife.
"There are many wonderful things to keep looking forward to in this life, so I’ll stay strong and stay positive and battle on for me and my family.”
Will You Drink Tea For MND?
Lillian McGovern, CEO, IMNDA stresses the importance of fundraising, “ 85% of our income comes from public donations so please, join Ollie and all of us – any day during March – in raising a teacup in support of everyone impacted by MND.”
The Drink Tea for MND concept is simple; you host a morning or afternoon tea for your family, friends, workplace, club or school and help raise vital funds to provide services and support to people in Ireland impacted by MND.
How To Get Involved
- Host an afternoon tea with friends - you could sell treats for a donation, or ask guests to make a donation instead of bringing something. CLICK HERE to register now.
- Schools - can do a casual dress day, or a dress up day in Mad Hatters Tea Party style, and collect donations from families to support people with MND
- You could keep it simple and do all your fundraising online or simply make an online donation.
Where Does The Money Go
Donations go towards services including funding the IMNDA’S six dedicated MND nurses who visit families living with MND in their homes providing expert care and advice.
If you can’t organise a tea day, you can also donate €4 by texting MND4 to 50300.*
*Texts cost €4 IMNDA will receive a minimum of €3.60. Service provider LIKECHARITY Helpline: 01 481 9311
