Horsham dad, 39, diagnosed with MND ‘overwhelmed’ at community support

Martin Comper, 39, told the County Times he was diagnosed with the disease over the summer after suffering speech problems in February.

He said: “One of the first things I thought was I need something to focus on and I want to raise as much money and awareness of it as I can. I don’t think the awareness is necessarily there.”

Former rugby player and Scotland international Doddie Weir has raised millions for research into the disease and support for sufferers after being diagnosed himself and Martin said Doddie had inspired him to do his bit.

He added: “I wanted to do my small part and I have been just overwhelmed. In five weeks we have raised £5,200. That’s amazing really.”

Martin said parents at Kingslea Primary School, where his children go to school, had rallied round to raise funds, including cash to send him and his family on holiday.

He said £2,300 was raised for their trip away including £300 donated by Kingslea.

The fundraising is part of the MND Association’s Mission 5000 challenge – the charity hopes to get its supporters running 5,000 miles, one for each MND sufferer in the UK.

Kingslea Women running club has pledged to run 805 miles for the association. But the group of 18 runners smashed its target running 1,340 miles in five weeks.

Martin added: “We have been very lucky as a family. A lot of the mums have run – they have raised funds that have gone into the total.”

His brother Kevin ran a virtual marathon to help raise cash and Martin even joined the epic run for seven of the 26 miles. They were also joined by Martin’s other brother David and friends.

Martin said: “The Horsham community have been unbelievable. The parents at the school [Kingslea] have been amazing. I have had a lot of support from people in Crawley as well which is where I grew up.”

MND affects Martin’s his speech, right arm and hand, balance and energy levels, he said.

Martin added: “It’s hard from that side of thing when your kids come home from school and they want to play and you’re saying to them I’m a bit tired.

“[But] I’m stable, I’m still running, I’m still playing football. I felt pretty strong the other day running – long may it continue.”

To donate to the fundraiser see https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kevin-comper1