Welcome to the Hertfordshire Branch

Welcome to the Hertfordshire branch of the MND Association. We are here to provide you, your family and the community a broad range of support, as you live with this disease.

This includes friendship, access to various resources, regular contact opportunities, fundraising activities and support for National campaigns highlighting awareness of and the impact of MND.

The MND Association Hertfordshire Branch Logo
 

The Branch is run entirely by volunteers and provides a vital link between the National Association and the local Hertfordshire community. Our aim is to make a positive difference to people affected by MND by:

  • Visiting with those living with MND, providing support and information to you and your carers.

Trained Association Visitors attached to the Branch provide personal and direct contact with those living with MND.  They offer support, help, and guidance to those living with MND and their families. They can help with navigating the way through the health and social care system.

  • Fundraising to pay for equipment not provided elsewhere, and to contribute to things that provide quality of life such as transport, therapies or holiday costs.
  • Raising awareness of the disease through the local media, our newsletters and this website.
  • Playing an active part in networking and building relationships locally with health and social care professionals, to influence and improve services for people with MND.
  • Holding regular, informal Open Meetings where people with MND, their carers and families have various opportunities to meet other people living with the disease and share experiences.

If you are interested in volunteering with us to help make a difference to people living with MND in Hertfordshire, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If you are living with MND or are a family member/carer, we are able to provide support and advice – please get in touch.

Contact Details:

For those living in North Herts (north of Hatfield), please contact Christine Carter:

Email- [email protected].  Tel:   01462 883450/07935 724384

For those living in South Herts (south of Hatfield), please contact Hetty Smith:

Email - [email protected].  Tel:   01462 630195/07930 462870

Fundraising

We enjoy raising funds for our local Branch to help with the care of local people affected by MND and to provide support for carers and families. 

A variety of fund-raising activities have been carried out throughout the years, including :

- Collections at local supermarkets and train stations

- Street collections in local towns

- Bric-a-brac Stalls

- Attendance at local events, such as Stevenage Day

- Quiz Nights

- Musical Concerts

Upcoming Events 

Upcoming Event

2024 Hertfordshire Branch Get Together

A headshot of Tanya Curry, CEO of the MND Association.
Thursday 23rd May 14:00
THE RED LION, 88 GREAT NORTH ROAD, HATFIELD AL9 5EU
We're having a special get together this year and we'd love you to come along. The Hertfordshire branch will be joined by Tanya Curry, Chief Executive of the UK MND Association, and the event will offer up the chance to learn about all the key initiatives, progress and plans for 2024 and beyond. There will be opportunities to ask questions and interact with Tanya, whilst meeting up with others from across Hertfordshire. for more information please contact Christine on: 01462 883450/07935 724384.
Upcoming Event

Get Together

An exterior photo of the Boxmoor Trust
1st May, 5th June, 3rd July, 7th August 14:00
Boxmoor Trust
Held on the first Wednesday of each month, our Get Togethers are a perfect opportunity for those living with MND, including their family and friends, to get to know other people in the community who are also affected by the challenges of MND. The Get Together will take place at: Box Moor Trust Centre, London Road, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RE (as pictured). For more information contact: Lesley Ralston via [email protected].
Upcoming Event

Daytime Group

Tea and newspapers
16th April, 21st May, 18th June, 16th July 11:00
Zoom
Hosted on every 3rd Tuesday of the month is our Daytime group, where those who are affected by MND can join to meet other people in the community and speak with our volunteers on Zoom. For more information, please contact: [email protected]
Upcoming Event

South East Coffee and Chat - Carers Only

Motor Neurone Disease Association bunting
7th May, 4th June, 2nd July, 6th August
Zoom
Held on the first Tuesday of every month is our South East coffee and chat for carers. If you're a carer for someone living with MND, you are welcome to join our online Zoom meeting every month. For more information, please contact: [email protected]
Upcoming Event

Evening Carers Group

laptop with website
24th April, 29th May, 26th June, 31st July
Zoom
Held online on Zoom, our Evening Carers Group offers carers of those living with MND a chance to meet with other carers and our volunteers on the last Wednesday of every month. For more information, please contact: [email protected]
Upcoming Meeting

North Herts Branch Meeting

A picture of the exterior of the Three Horseshoes Pub.
25th March & 29th April 11:00
The Three Horseshoes, Watton-at-stone, SG14 3RY
Each month the Hertfordshire branch holds its North Herts branch meeting, where our committee members and those part of the community come together to discuss topics within the branch. These meetings are held at the Three Horseshoes pub, Watton-at-stone, although occasionally they may be held online. For more information, please contact: [email protected].
Upcoming Meeting

South Herts Branch Meeting

An exterior photo of the Boxmoor Trust
6th March & 3rd April 11:00
The Boxmoor Trust, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2RE
Each month the Hertfordshire branch holds its South Herts branch meeting, where our committee members and those part of the community come together to discuss topics within the branch. These meetings are held at The Boxmoor Trust, Hemel Hempstead (as pictured), although occasionally they may be held online. For more information, please contact: [email protected]
Upcoming Event

3rd Walk to D'Feet

group of people walking outside
06/07/2024
Join us for our 3rd Walk To D'Feet at Stanborough Lakes on July 6th 2024! The Walk to D'Feet MND will take place at Stanborough Lakes, Welwyn, and will have a route that is suitable for all walkers, including wheelchair users, and those with dogs. Donations of £10 per person would be appreciated, or £20 for a family of 4. For more information contact: [email protected], or [email protected].

Past Events 

Past Event

JJK Fundraiser

Top Left – Justine Co - Area Support Coordinator and Kent Alle - Chair Top Right – Kent, Kim Davies (wife of David Davies) and their son, Harrison Bottom Right – from l-r – Kim Davies, Joe Kelly-Director of JJK Fitness, Kent, Justine & Hetty Smith. Bottom Right- winning team receiving the David Davies cup.
JJK Fitness, Kings Langley
Our chairman, Kent Allen, committee member, Hetty Smith, and Area Support Coordinator, Justine Cox, were delighted to attend JJK Fitness in Kings Langley‘s 3rd fundraiser in support of their past member David Davies, who sadly passed away with MND two years ago. This year, the gym event involved 16 teams who altogether raised an incredible £6050. We are hugely thankful to Joe Kelly, owner of the gym for his long and continued fantastic support. Picture: Top Left – Justine Cox - Area Support Coordinator and Kent Allen - Chair, Top Right – Kent, Kim Davies (wife of David Davies) and their son, Harrison, Bottom Right – Kim Davies, Joe Kelly-Director of JJK Fitness, Kent, Justine & Hetty, Bottom Right- winning team receiving the David Davies cup.
Past Event

Variety Express: The Pirates Show

Grant Cameron on stage accepting the cheque
Founded in 1980 Variety Express is a North Hertfordshire based community theatre group with a currant cast of around 40 members, which has raised over £123,000 for local and national causes. They produce a positive and entertaining show for all. The MNDA Hertfordshire Branch were very lucky to have been chosen as their charity for 2023. The Pirate’s show, held over four days in October 2023, was very entertaining and raised the amazing sum of £7,000 for the branch. Image: Grant Cameron, Committee Member receiving the cheque.
Past Fundraiser

Grants December Challenge

Grant stood with his MND Association branded running gear.
December
MNDA Hertfordshire committee member Grant Cameron smashed his "Run 25 miles in December" challenge, ploughing through the icy weather and smashing his target with a total of 36 miles reached by the end of the month! His fantastic efforts raised over £800 for the branch, which will help us to continue our work with those affected by MND. A massive thank you to Grant and those who donated towards this fundraiser.
Past Event

Christmas Lunch 2023

A group of people sat around a table with Christmas lunch
The Hertfordshire branch hosted a Christmas lunch brining together our volunteers and the community to celebrate the festive season.
Past Fundraiser

Golf Day Fundraiser

Paul, Max and Lukas Gilbert, with Jamie Gerrard, stood with their golf clubs while taking place in a 72 hole golf fundraiser
Last Saturday, Paul Gilbert took on 72 holes in one day in an inspirational fundraiser for the Hertfordshire MND Association Branch. Despite being diagnosed with MND in 2015, he completed the challenge alongside his two sons Max and Lukas, and their friend Jamie Gerrard, and have subsequently raised a staggering £23,000 in online donations alone! Without inspirational fundraising like this, we wouldn't be able to continue to deliver our vital help and support to those living with MND in Hertfordshire. A massive thank you to Paul for all you have done!
Past Fundraiser

Open water swim fundraiser

Mark O'Brien stood alongside his children beside the water he had completed his 6.8 mile swim
Mark O'Brien, from Slip End in Bedfordshire, was diagnosed with MND last year and has completed a world record attempt with a five-and-a-half hour open water swim - the longest unaided water swim for a person living with MND. The 54 year-old managed to swim for 6.8 miles (11km), further than his 6.5 mile target, and his three children swam the final stretch with him as his family, friends and even strangers cheered him on. Once out the water, Mr O'Brien told the BBC he was "freezing" but that the "support has been amazing". "It was a bit longer than we expected, and I'm looking forward to a hot shower and a burger," he said. So far Mark has raised an incredible £17,000 which will be split equally between the Bedfordshire Branch and Hertfordshire Branch of the MND Association and the MND National Office for research. We are hugely grateful to Mark for this fantastic achievement and magnificent sum raised.

Latest News

For more information about the different events and activities organised by the branch in order to provide support, raise awareness, and fundraise on behalf of people living with MND, please read our latest newsletter or contact us. 

 Latest Newsletter

January Newsletter 

November Newsletter 2023 

September Newsletter 2023 

July Newsletter 2023

MND Connect

MND Connect is more than just a helpline. MND Connect offers people access to a quick route to get advice, practical and emotional support and directing to other services and agencies.

MND Connect is available 9am to 5pm and 7pm to 10.30pm Mondays to Fridays. Calls are charged at local rate.

The service is for:

  • People living with MND
  • Carers
  • Family members
  • Health and Social Care Professionals
  • MND Association staff and volunteers.

MND Connect can:

  • Give information about MND and how to cope with symptoms
  • Give medical, social, practical and financial information
  • Offer help and advice
  • Put you in touch with an Association Visitor, local Branch/Group or Regional Care Development Adviser
  • Advise on the services the MND Association can offer
  • Send you leaflets and information sheets
  • Put you in touch with other appropriate services

MND Connect is made up of a team of experienced staff and volunteers who work closely with our local and regional services.

Contact MND Connect on 0808 8026262 or email : [email protected]

Gazebo for hire

The Branch has recently acquired a Gazebo which can be borrowed, subject to availability, for a small donation to Branch Funds. The Gazebo is green, 3 metres x 3 metres, it has two side panels if required and can be easily erected by 2 people. Please contact [email protected] or [email protected] for more information. 

A green gazebo

 

Branch Committee

Committee Member’s Contact details

Any of the Committee can be contacted through our email addresses: [email protected] or [email protected]

Chairperson - Kent Allen: 07771 876562

Treasurer - Heather Hurley: 01462 627025

Secretary - Lindsey Lucas: 07905 157764

Branch Contact - Chris Carter: 01462 338450

Committee Member - Maria Watson: 07800 978281

Committee Member - Grant Cameron: 07896 260261

Committee Member - Hetty Smith: 01462 630195