Eastwood MSP Jackson Carlaw has praised the work of a national charity that campaigns for people living with motor neurone disease (MND).

MND Scotland – the only charity in Scotland dedicated to providing direct assistance for people with MND, their families and friends – recently hosted a reception at the Scottish Parliament.

The event provided an opportunity for MSPs to meet with people who have been diagnosed with the illness.

It was also a chance for representatives of MND Scotland to highlight the importance of ensuring that people who have been diagnosed with the disease get the care they need.

Mr Carlaw said: “MND Scotland takes forward incredibly important work to support individuals who are impacted by the disease.

“The charity brought a large number of individuals together at Holyrood to raise awareness of the need for fast tracking social care so that people with MND can spend the time they have left making memories with family and friends.

A total of 50 individuals who have been directly impacted by the disease, members of MND Scotland’s Board of Trustees and more than 35 MSPs were present at the Holyrood event.

“I greatly appreciated the opportunity to meet with people who have been diagnosed with MND and to hear more about their experience first-hand," added the Scottish Conservative politician. 

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness and it stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided.

The average life expectancy of a person with MND is just 18 months from diagnosis and there is no cure or meaningful treatments.

Since being founded over forty years ago, MND Scotland has provided practical, financial and emotional support to anyone affected by MND whilst also funding essential research into the discovery of effective treatments and a cure.

“The parliament event highlighted that people with MND do not have time to wait,” said Mr Carlaw.

“I am committed to supporting MND Scotland’s efforts to make time count for individuals who are living with the illness.”