Ken's 60 hole golf challenge raises thousands for Motor Neurone Disease Association

A member of Manchester Golf Club in Middleton has raised around £3,500 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association by walking and playing 60 holes of golf in one day to celebrate playing a single figure handicap for 60 years.

Ken Stafford, 75, a retired chartered accountant from Todmorden, completed the task on 21 June – starting at 7.30am and finishing by 8pm the same evening.

Ken decided to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, which is the club captain Gareth Clark’s chosen charity this year because his mother has suffered from the illness for some time.

Motor neurone disease is a fatal rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, attacking the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work. It kills a third of people within a year and more than half within two years of diagnosis.

It’s a devastating disease that affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time and kills six people every day.

There is currently no cure.

The MND Association focuses on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Ken said: “Because of Gareth’s mum I just wanted to do something that raises as much money as I can to help MND Association with their research and support. With the tremendous support in contributions so far it made me more determined to complete the task.

“The surprise was that I played really well scoring 78, 77 and 80 gross on the three full rounds I completed.

“It just feels great to have raised so much money from a lot of good people who wanted to support me for a very worthy cause.”

Jenn Dodd, Regional Fundraiser for Yorkshire, Humberside and the North East at the MND Association, said: “Congratulations to Ken maintaining his single figure handicap for 60 years and what a fantastic way to celebrate this achievement.

“Without the amazing support of people like Ken, the MND Association simply would not be able to provide its vital support services, fund research to find a cure and campaign and raise awareness of MND.

“Together we are making a real difference for people affected by this devastating disease.”

For more information about MND and the MND Association please visit:

• www.mndassociation.org

To support Ken and donate to his £6,000 target, please visit:

• justgiving.com/fundraising/Ken-Stafford