A GRUELLING 80-mile walk is underway for a Rugbeian in memory of his beloved dad, to raise money for the fight against the disease which took his life.
Remal Tailor is walking from his home in Harrow in north west London to Rugby, where he grew up, in three days to raise £10,000 for the Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Association.
His father Ashwin, who lived in Rugby, was just 57 when doctors told him he had three years left to live.
The engineer – previously a healthy, active husband, father and grandfather – succumbed to the disease in May.
Business analyst Remal, 33, said the disease had left a ‘terrible legacy’ behind for him and his family.
He said: “To see someone you love and care for die slowly in front of your eyes is very difficult to see, yet I cannot imagine what it was like for my father.
Remal (right) with his much-missed dad Ashwin, a ‘devoted husband, father and grandfather’.“Motor Neuron Disease strips you of the most basic thing you consider in life – movement. It’s a slow, torturous death and we need to raise awareness and money to find a cure.
“It’s hard to believe that there is no cure and no way to stop this disease. It was too late for my father but I truly believe that within our lifetime a cure will be found if more awareness is raised.”
He began his trek on Wednesday (August 15) and, if all goes to plan, will arrive in Rugby today (Friday August 17).
He added: “I chose the route as I live in London and grew up in Rugby, which is where my father lived and sadly passed away.
“I want to embark on this walk to reflect the hardship and struggle he had, and to raise money for the cause against the disease which sadly took his life.”
Motor neurone disease is a fatal disease which kills six people every day. It attacks the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work. There is no cure.
Denise Davies, head of community fund-raising at the MND Association, said: “Without the amazing support of people like Remal, the MND Association simply would not be able to provide its vital support services, fund research to find a cure and campaign and raise awareness of MND.
“Together we are making a real difference for people affected by this devastating disease.”
After hearing Remal’s story, development company The Santon Group – where Remal’s wife works – pledged to match the donations received.
CEO Bim Sandhu said: “We hope that the offer encourages others to give more generously than they might otherwise have done.
“It is a very worthy cause and well done to Remal for undertaking the walk on behalf of MND.”
Visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RemalTailor to donate.
