Coronation Street actor Peter Ash, whose character Paul Foreman has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, will take part in the Great Manchester Run to raise money for charity.
Peter will run in the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run on Sunday 21 May, supporting the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Peter said: “Real people’s stories are so inspirational, and I feel a responsibility. We act it but there will be people watching who are living with it – it’s very important to get it right.”
Other Coronation Street actors will be running in the 10k race with Peter, including Ryan Russell and Channique Sterling-Brown.
Chris James, Director of External Affairs from the MND Association said: “We’re delighted Peter has chosen to take on the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run for the MND Association in May. He will be part of a team of runners sporting the Association’s distinctive orange and blue colours, raising much needed funds to help us in our mission to support those in the MND community and their families.”
According to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, 1 in 300 people will suffer from the condition in their lifetime. At any one time MND impacts 5000 people in the UK.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence states: “Most people die within 2–3 years of developing symptoms, but 25% are alive at 5 years and 10% at 10 years.”
Research into MND shows that the condition is increasing globally.
MND has been increasing over the past 25 years. A study in the Journal of Neurology found that in Scotland the incidence rate increased by 36% over the 25 years leading into 2017.
A study by The University of Oxford found that more males were diagnosed with MND than females.
Globally, MND trends upwards. A study in the Netherlands found an incidence increase of 43% between 1998 and 2017.
Recently a new marathon started, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon. Rob Burrow is a rugby player with MND.
Burrow was carried across the finish line by his friend Kevin Sinfield last week, capturing headlines.
You can support Peter by donating on his fundraising page.
