South Yorkshire Branch: News and research

To read about local events coming up in 2024 go to our events page, or take a look at the Spring newsletter.

Chairman's Report 2023/2024

The branch did not hold an AGM in 2023. Please read below the annual report for the South Yorkshire Branch of the MND Association by Dr Andrew Gibson.

Chairman's Report

Annual Fundraising Events.

Thankfully regular events are now back to normal and you will see from the annual report that 2023 was the second best fundraising year in the past 20 years. Sadly losing both of our fantastic fundraising leads Geoff Bland and Dave Booker however, left a massive void. 

Our fundraising volunteers have worked really hard to fill this, and regular Band Concerts, and Golf Days are again scheduled into the Calander. Along with creating new fundraising partnerships, and individual fundraisers efforts for the branch we hope we can do even better. Anyone who can help at any of the events will be made very welcome.

Fundraising is also helped when the awareness of MND is raised nationally. The fabulous Kevin Sinfield CBE and his challenges in support of his friend Rob Burrow CBE. continue to assist in this way. 

Want to make a difference? Read about our Volunteer Vacancies.

We are currently looking for a Publicity Officer, and more Association Visitors.

Volunteers play an important role in the MND Association. The South Yorkshire Branch is looking for more volunteers to get involved, to help ensure that people with MND, their carers, and their families receive the support and services they need.

Train and volunteer as an Association Visitor: Do you enjoy listening to and helping people? Are you looking for a volunteering role where you can do just that, and fits in around your family, studies, or other commitments? By becoming an Association Visitor and donating your time, energy, and skills, you can make a real difference in the lives of people affected by MND.

The role is currently by phone, email, video, and text from the comfort of your own home. Expenses will be reimbursed. Basic IT skills and access to a computer are required.

The role of the Association Visitor includes the following tasks:

• offer emotional support to people living with and affected by MND
• provide information to people living with MND, their carers, and families
• help people living with MND make informed choices
• help people to access appropriate services/support
• explain how the MND Association can support people living with MND, their carers, and families
• record information, following the MND Association guidelines and local protocols
• develop and maintain relationships with our local Branch or Group
• attend support and supervision meetings, as well as development events.

The role offers flexible hours, but we would like Association Visitors to give 2 to 3 hours of their time each week. For this role, you need to be able to work as part of a team, liaise with health and social care professionals and have the ability to develop and maintain supportive relationships.

You will receive a comprehensive induction, which is currently via the video platform Zoom online.

Although a committee runs the branch, you do not need to join the committee in order to volunteer. There are many tasks relating to fundraising, publicity, social media and events with which you could help. Your time commitment can be as much, or as little, as you can spare.

If you can help in any way, please do contact us. The more volunteers we have, the more support we can provide for people with MND, their carers, and their families.

Whatever your skills, background, and age, we can find a role for you.

Research Updates

Research is moving on all the time. Professor Dame Pam Shaw, Director of Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience SITraN  recorded a podcast on BBC radio 4 a couple of years ago. The podcast is called The Life Scientific and her episode is titled Pam Shaw on the research battle against Motor Neurone Disease. It's available to listen to on BBC Sounds. 

Professor Shaw also kindly agreed to make a recording of the talk she gave at one of the branch Open meetings some time ago. Click below to hear what she had to say about research at that time.

To read more research news, including updates from the last International Symposium in December 2023 go to the Association's research page. If you  sign up for the Association research blog you will automatically receive regular research news by email.

"Research Today: Implications for Tomorrow"

Was the title of a talk, given at a former branch AGM. by Dr Brian Dickie MBE Director of Research and Development from the association. He outlined some of the association-funded research projects and explained how they work closely with SITraN  here in Sheffield. Dr Dickie was awarded an MBE in the King's New Year Honours 2023 ; He has been working at the Association since 1996. At that time the investment in research from the Association was just £150.000. The research commitment is now £20.7 million. There is still a long way to go before we have a world free of MND, but while we wait, the support we can offer increases along with the public awareness of the disease.