Motor Neurone Disease charity launches new fundraising campaign
The Mel Evans MND foundation has launched a 30 Days of Hope campaign, inviting 30 businesses from the local community to stand alongside the charity.
Businesses can take part by making a one-off donation, becoming a corporation supporter or by promoting the charity through wider networks.
The campaign aims to raise funds for a vital research project carried out at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), who are preparing to begin human clinical trials of a pioneering new treatment for Motor Neurone Disease.
This exciting programme targets the UNC13A protein, a genetic pathway that could potentially benefit around 97 per cent of people living with MND. Currently there is no cure or effective treatment and most people die within two years of diagnosis.
For families affected by this devastating disease, it represents one of the most significant moments in MND research for many years.
The Mel Evans MBE foundation honours the legacy of Mel Evans MBE, a champion Crown Green Bowler responsible for bringing the sport to TV with more than 100 caps for Staffordshire County.
The aim of the foundation is to spread awareness of MND while organising dedicated bowling events to raise funds for research and promote Crown Green Bowls at a grassroot level.
It was founded by Mel’s wife Lynn Pritchatt, following his death. Both Mel and Lynn have enjoyed illustrious careers in the sport and spearheaded media coverage on platforms including Sky TV and Channel 4.
Since Mel’s passing, the Crown Green Bowling community has rallied around the foundation, helping raise more than £100,000 for MND research.
Lynn Pritchatt said: “The Mel Evans MND Foundation 30 Days of Hope Campaign was launched following the exciting news that researchers at SITraN are preparing to begin human clinical trials of a pioneering treatment that could potentially help 97% of people living with MND.
“Currently there is no cure for MND, no effective treatment for the majority of patients and most die within two years of diagnosis.
“It’s a reminder that incredible breakthroughs don’t happen by chance—they happen because people believe in research and choose to support it.
“This is one of the first major breakthroughs in MND research for a long time. Whilst it comes too late for my family, the Mel Evans MND Foundation is driven to help those families battling MND now and being there for families who are yet to receive this devastating diagnosis. Our work is focused on supporting research into the disease, and whilst there are green shoots, much more work needs to be done.
“If any business and/or individual is interested is knowing more about our work, we would love to have a conversation.”
