'Motor Neurone Disease has torn my family apart.'
By Nicola Fifield
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Michael, Mark, aged ten, Daniel, 14, and Sue
HER family has been ravaged by a killer disease that took the lives of both her mother and father.

But now this devastated daughter has managed to get her life back on track by setting up a tribute fund in their names.

Sue Craven, of Gate Helmsley, near York, said it was like torture to see her own mother, Sylvia Dunton, becoming crippled by Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

She died in April this year after a two-year battle with the illness. Within four weeks of her death, the disease took another victim, when Sue's shattered father, Robert, lost the will to live.

Sue, who is 47, said: "He was completely devastated by what had happened to my mum, and he literally lost the will to live. He stopped eating and that was it.

"MND has torn my family apart. My whole world fell to pieces after the death of my parents and every day became a battle."

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But the mother-of-two eventually found a way to channel her grief when she set up a tribute fund in her parents' names, with all the money going to the MND Association.

Her first fundraiser was held in June, when a team of 25 hikers raised £1,600 by taking part in a sponsored six-mile walk between Gate Helmsley and Stockton-on-the-Forest.

Sue, who works at the Central Science Laboratory at Sand Hutton, said: "I know it's not going to bring my parents back, but it makes me feel like I'm doing something to help. MND is a horrendous disease. I wouldn't wish it on my own worst enemy. They don't know the cause, so there is no cure and the average life expectancy is two to five years. It affects every muscle in the body, so by the end you can't even speak or swallow."

Sylvia, who lived in Leicestershire and died at the age of 69, had eight carers and two Marie Curie nurses per day to look after her just before her death.

Sue said: "My mum was a very fit and active lady right through her life. She lived life to the full and never let anything stop her.

"Even when she was first diagnosed with the disease she didn't give in. But eventually she couldn't even do simple things like turning a door handle. It was absolutely horrendous. People say the good thing about it is that the brain stays active, but I think it would be easier if you were away with the fairies."

Anybody who would like to make a donation to the MND Association can phone Sue on 01759 372466.

What is MND?


A neurodegenerative disease that attacks the upper and lower motor neurones, leading to the weakness and wasting of muscles
Symptoms include loss of mobility in the limbs, muscle cramps and spasms, bowel problems, and difficulties with breathing and swallowing
It can affect any adult at any age but most people diagnosed with the disease are over the age of 40, with the highest incidence occurring between the ages of 50 and 70
Men are affected approximately twice as often as women
About two people in every 100,000 will be diagnosed with the illness every year
The MND Association provides support for people suffering with MND and their families.

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