Family of accountant suffering from Motor Neurone Disease to take two million steps

All contributions will go towards helping Michael with his diagnosis, such as mobility equipment and house adaptions

The children of a Rochdale accountant have set a goal of going for a run every day throughout November, to raise money to help him following his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease.

Michael Kershaw, 60, was diagnosed with the disease in January 2020. Motor neurone disease (MND) is a rare neurological condition that causes the degeneration (deterioration and loss of function) of the motor system (the cells and nerves in the brain and spinal cord which control the muscles in our bodies). This results in weakness and wasting of the muscles. There is currently no cure for motor neurone disease.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Michael has not been able to spend enough time with friends and family.

Some of Michael's seven children - Rachel Kershaw, 36, Natalie Bocock, 32 and her husband, Ryan Bocock, as well as Jack Kershaw, 23, Charlotte Kershaw and her boyfriend are partaking in the challenge, aiming to collectively reach 11,111 steps a day, through socially distanced or separate running or walking.

A group of family friends have also challenged themselves to do 30 minutes of exercise a day to help raise money for the family.

Charlotte said: “We’ve been astounded by everybody’s generosity so far; we want to give something back to our dad who’s been an amazing family man.”

So far, Michael’s gofundme campaign has raised £4,070 of their £5,000 target, and all contributions will go towards helping Michael with his diagnosis, mobility equipment, house adaptions and allowing him to spend more time with his family, including wife Debra, and younger children, Claudia, nine, Heidi, seven, and Alexander, three.

Direct donations to Michael’s gofundme campaign can be made at:

• https://uk.gofundme.com/f/2-million-steps-for-motor-neurone-disease