News
Jane sets out to raise funds for friend in need
A member of the Wolverhampton-based classifieds team is calling on colleagues to lend their support to a vital fundraising effort.
Jane Cornforth, trade sales coordinator based at the Express & Star, is organising a series of events to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).
As well as a musical extravaganza evening, Jane and her colleagues are organising an in-house raffle and would welcome any donations possible.
The fundraising – which has already topped £2,200 – is being held on behalf of Steve ‘Snowy’ Watson, a good friend of Jane’s. Snowy was diagnosed with the condition in 2017 and Jane said it has been horrendous to watch her friend suffer from the rapidly progressing disease.
Motor Neurone Disease attacks the brain and spinal cord, leaving people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk, swallow or eventually breathe.
“Snowy has always been a fun loving, intelligent, larger than life man who was cruelly diagnosed with MND in 2017. There is no cure,” said Jane.
“It has taken my formerly fit, able, strong friend from an active and rewarding life and has gradually eliminated his ability to move, breathe unaided, or perform the most basic tasks that most of us take for granted.
“Steve is now in a wheelchair and relies on a ventilator to breathe. He needs 24-hour care at his home in Bradmore.
“Though Steve’s response to contracting this disease has been incredibly positive, inspirational and truly courageous he needs support from as many sources as possible,” she added.
A group of Snowy’s friends initially set out to raise £1,000 for MNDA.
Donations have already exceeded £2,200 and there are no plans to stop there. A musical event being held at The Newhampton Arts Centre is being organised for 15 June with just a few tickets remaining.
Jane and her classifieds colleagues are also planning a dress-down day and in-house raffle for later this month to boost the fund further.
“Snowy has always loved music and since many of his extended group of friends are musicians, we have decided to put on a musical fundraising event,” said Jane.
“I have been so touched by how many people want to help, whether they know Snowy or not, so many contacts have asked how they can get involved.
“I will be collecting donations for the raffle throughout May and intend to sell tickets too. If anyone would like to lend their support, I would love to hear from them,” she added.
The MNDA is a charity that relies heavily on voluntary donations. It offers those with the condition advisory, financial and practical help, as well as support for their families. Up to 5,000 adults are living with MND at any one time in the UK.
Ongoing research aims to find a cure for the cruel disease.
For more information visit https://www.mndassociation.org/
To contribute to Jane’s fundraising efforts visit
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-bateman5 to donate a raffle prize email Jane.Cornforth@expressandstar.co.uk
