“I’ve lost two family members to MND” – Six friends attempt to swim North Channel raising funds for MND

A Newry woman, who lost her aunt and her dad to Motor Neurone Disease, will be swimming across the North Channel to raise funds for Northern Ireland's MND Association.

A team of six friends will face freezing temperatures and plenty of jellyfish when they attempt to swim between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Motor Neurone Disease Association for Northern Ireland says between 30 and 40 new cases are diagnosed each year.

Edel Astin, will be among those taking on the 21-mile challenge. She spoke to Dowtown/CoolFM exclusively: “I lost my aunty in June 2012, and then my dad just 6 months later in January. That was a very difficult time for the family. That is my why, why I’m doing this.”

“I’m a physiotherapist myself so I know what it entails. I think it was hard for my dad, because he had to watch his sister pass away with it and he knew that was coming for him as well. It’s a very rapid decline in function.”

“It affects people differently. Some people lose their voice first, other people lose function in their hands and then it gradually takes over the body, with choking episodes, and they lose mobility. It can be quite a fast decline.”

“MNDA NI, who we are going to be giving our donations to, supported us as a family at the time. It’s amazing seeing the work that they can do. They can support with electric wheelchairs, seating, speech devices and young kids in young families who are living with this.”

“It’s one of the ‘fear the fear and do it anyway’ things, because we know it is going to be tough, mentally and with jellyfish and currents and all the rest. But that’s all part of the challenge and that’s why we are doing it.”

The MND Association’s Community Relationship Fundraiser, Kelly Boston, who is supporting Edel’s challenge said: “By taking part in this challenge, Edel and her friends will help to make a huge difference to people living with MND and their families – not only through the funds she raises but through awareness to.

“Being diagnosed with MND is devastating – but thanks to Edel, her friends and people like them we can improve the care and support we offer, while driving forward important advances in MND research.

“We cannot thank Edel enough for what she is doing and wish her, and the team, the very best of luck!”