Moray MP 'absolutely delighted' with £50 million MND research funding boost

MORAY MP Douglas Ross has spoken of his delight at news of a multi-million pound boost to motor neurone disease (MND) research funding.

The UK government have announced that £50 million will be dedicated into researching the condition, which affects the brain and nerves and eventually leads to death.

The news comes following the recent passing of Scotland rugby legend Doddie Weir who bravely fought the disease for six years and raised millions through his My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

A pledge was initially made this time last year by the government to deliver the funding and will see £29.5 million invested immediately through specialist research centres and partnerships with leading researchers.

A further £20.5 million will be used to accelerate work on the most promising treatments on MND research.

Mr Ross says the award will cut red-tape to allow funding to be delivered faster and ensure world-leading researchers have the resources they need to hopefully find a cure for the “horrible disease.”

The Moray MP has pushed for the funding to be delivered in the House of Commons and raised the case of Lucy Lintott from Moray who was Scotland’s youngest person to be diagnosed with MND aged just 19.

However, she has defied the odds to give birth to two children after diagnosis and is thought she is the only person in the world to do so. Mr Ross had urged then Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng to meet with Lucy and other campaigners to support her and other families suffering with MND.

Lucy also previously received a Point of Light for her inspiring work from then Prime Minister David Cameron.

Mr Ross says he believes that for MND sufferers like Lucy, the funding announcement will be a “huge boost” and he says he is committed to ensuring the UK government deliver it as quickly as possible.

He said: “It is wonderful news that this significant funding into MND research has been confirmed by the UK government.

"I am absolutely delighted and it is a real boost of support to our world-leading researchers, who are working tirelessly to find a cure for this horrible disease.

“Of course, the announcement comes shortly after the tragic passing of the legendary Doddie Weir. He was an inspirational figure who did so much to raise awareness of the condition and raised millions through his own foundation.

“It is testament to his incredible legacy that this announcement has been made so soon after his death.

“I have been pushing for this funding to be delivered, especially in light of our own inspirational figure we have right here in Moray. Lucy Lintott has defied all the odds since being diagnosed with MND as a teenager.

“To have given birth to two children and have her own family is an absolutely incredible story. I believe that this award of £50 million will be a real boost to campaigners like Lucy and I applaud her for everything she has done to raise awareness of motor neurone disease.

“I will continue to work closely with colleagues in the UK government to ensure this crucial funding is delivered as quickly as possible and I will keep believing that one day we will rid ourselves of this cruel condition.”