An Ardrossan couple are fundraising in memory of their children’s grandad who passed away from Motor Neurone Disease.

Claire and Nicol Taylor have been supporting MND Scotland since Nicol’s dad Tam was diagnosed with the degenerative condition in 2015. 

Sadly, ex-Royal Marine Tam died in 2016 but his family have vowed to continue their fundraising in his memory. They have a Valentine’s dinner dance lined up and plan to take on the Great Wall of China in September. 

Claire said: “We started fundraising with Tam and he said to carry on with it. 

“We did four kilt walks last year as a family, climbed Ben Nevis and cycled round Cumbrae. I also sing in the MND Scotland Choir with Lucy Lintop, the youngest person in Scotland to be diagnosed with MND. We released two singles with Michelle McManus.

“Tam started getting symptoms about 2014 and then he was diagnosed in 2015. A year later he was gone. It was very quick. 

“There are different types of MND. Stephen Hawking, for instance, had MND for years but Tam’s was really aggressive. He lost his speech, he couldn’t swallow food, then it went right down to his muscles. 

“It was a very progressive and horrible illness to watch because the person is aware of their surroundings and what’s going on and they want to communicate but they can’t. They’re locked in.” 

Claire and Nicol’s next fundraiser is a three-course dinner and dance on February 16 at Ardrossan’s Laurieston Hotel. Tickets are £20. Call Claire and Nicol on 07733 254719 to buy tickets.

To donate to Claire and Nicol, visit https://www.justgiving.com/Nicol-Taylor1.