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<\/p>\nRory, Cara, Elsie and Lucy are raising funds for the grandpa Neil Buchanan who was diagnosed with MND<\/p>\n
The grandkids are looking forward to the run and have been delighted with how much they’ve raised so far.(Image: Contributed\/Edinburgh Live)<\/p>\n
Four children have joined efforts to raise funds for MND<\/a> Scotland after the devastating disease stole their grandpa’s ability to speak and swallow. Neil Buchanan, 65, would spend much of his time getting up to mischief with grandchildren Rory, 10, Cara, nine, Elsie and Lucy, both six, before he was diagnosed with the progressive disease.<\/p>\n The youngest members of his family are now leading some of their fundraising efforts and have pledged to complete a charity<\/a> run in honour of their grandfather. The quartet have put their running shoes on and are taking part in various events to raise money and awareness.<\/p>\n Speaking to our sister title Edinburgh Live<\/a>, Rory and Elsie’s mum Ashley Buchanan explained why they they chose to take on a charity run. Ashley, who set up the fundraiser on the kid’s behalf, said: “They just love their grandpa and they just want to do something to make him proud because he was always such an active man. Doing this run, that would be what he would be doing, so it’s something that they can do too.”<\/p>\n Neil, from the Leith area of Edinburgh<\/a>, was diagnosed with a rare type of motor neuron disease known as progressive bulbar palsy. The condition affects muscles in the face, throat and tongue.<\/p>\n Ashley said once her father-in-law started to display symptoms it was a “rapid decline”.<\/p>\n Neil’s wife Sue said: “He’s a runner, a cyclist, very fit, healthy, into sports and things… well not now. He loves his grandchildren to bits, I mean, he’s so active with them as well and MND<\/a>‘s just taken everything away.”<\/p>\n Rory, Cara, Elsie and Lucy are extremely close with Grandpa Neil.(Image: Contributed\/Edinburgh Live)<\/p>\n “For the last 20 years, he volunteered at the local swimming<\/a> club the 1930s, so our kids were taught to swim there, and now 4 out of 5 of our grandchildren are learning to swim there. He was coaching them, and he’s had to give that up as well.<\/p>\n “It’s really hard because he was so active, and it takes everything away from you. He can’t speak, he can’t eat, he can’t swallow, he can’t drink. It is just so cruel, and the thing is they know exactly what’s going.”<\/p>\n Before his diagnosis, Neil was like a personal climbing frame for his grandchildren but, due to his health<\/a>, he isn’t able to carry them anymore. However, the kids were determined to spend time with their grandpa and they have found new ways to do so.<\/p>\n Ashley said: “It’s been very difficult for [the kids] because their grandpa’s been such a present in their life, you know? We always used to joke that grandpa was the the biggest kid of them all.<\/p>\n “If there was something that they shouldn’t be doing, grandpa was doing it with them. He used to let them like climb up on him and he used to like spin them upside down. We always used to think, ‘Oh my goodness, you’re going to take their kids like arms out their sockets!’ He can’t do that with them anymore.<\/p>\n “He obviously can’t communicate with the children either but they have a great time sitting with him and typing words into his machine and speaking them through that, which is really nice. Neil’s obviously very aware of what’s going on, and I think he’s trying to protect the grandchildren as much as he can.”<\/p>\n Next month, cousins Rory and Cara will be take on the Edinburgh Marathon<\/a> Festival’s children’s 2k while younger cousins Elsie and Lucy will be face the 1.5k challenge.<\/p>\n Ashley added: “We’re so proud. They’re all very sporty and athletic, so it’s very much right up their street, and they’re very competitive as well! My son’s very much like, ‘I want to get through there first’, so it’s lovely.”<\/p>\n Neil and his family have been blown away by the support that the fundraiser has received so far after they managed to raise \u00a31,450 – more than three and a half times their \u00a3400 goal.<\/p>\n Donations to the fundraiser will help fund research into MND<\/a> as well as supporting MND Scotland to continue the work that they do with the families of those suffering form MND.<\/p>\n Sue said: “It was MND Scotland that organised everything for us. You don’t want to think about [wills, power of attorneys] and benefits and we thought, ‘Oh, Neil’s working, we won’t get anything’, but you do, and I tell you what, you need it because the things you have to get and do, it all mounts up.<\/p>\n “So we’re raising money for MND<\/a> Scotland for the research, but also for simple things like nebulisers and cushions for your bed, special backrests and things. They used to provide all that, but they’ve not got as much money now, a lot of the funding’s been cut.”<\/p>\n And on top of the fundraising, Sue and her family want to raise awareness for MND Scotland and the help that they provide, filling out forms, getting your loved ones into occupational therapy, and being there to help families navigate the time they have left.<\/p>\n She added: “There is help out there, for you.”<\/p>\n You can view to Rory, Cara, Elsie and Lucy’s fundraiser here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here<\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. 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