A fundraising drive set up by Fife campaigner Gordon Aikman to fund a cure for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) has smashed its £600,000 target – eight weeks after his death.
But Gordon’s family and friends have vowed not to stop there – and have set their sights on raising an incredible £1 million in his memory.
The news comes as the Gordon’s Fightback campaign launched its #GordonsGift fundraising appeal to coincide with the Kirkcaldy-born MND patient and campaigner’s 32nd birthday.
Gordon’s husband Joe Pike and a team of the couple’s friends have called on people across the country to help them reach their goal in honour of Gordon, who died in February from the muscle wasting condition aged just 31.
“Today, for the first time I won’t be able to kiss my husband, hold him and say: ‘Happy birthday, I love you’,” Joe said.
“There are no cards this year, no gifts, no fancy meals – just memories.
“I miss Gordon’s voice, his eyes and his smile. I miss the in-jokes and affection and finishing each other’s sentences.
“But Gordon never wanted pity, and I don’t either. I want to turn a negative into a positive.
“Today, I want everyone to mark Gordon’s birthday by giving the gift of a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.
“Gordon’s real passion was finding a cure. Doctors do not know what causes Motor Neurone Disease, let alone how to cure it. But scientists in labs doing research provided him with hope.
“Not that he would be saved, but hope for future generations.
“A cure for MND – that would be a real gift to remember Gordon by.”
Lawrence Cowan was a close friend of Gordon’s and is a member of the Gordon’s Fightback campaign.
He added: “I miss Gordon every day. He would have been delighted to smash £600,000. But he would want us to cure this terrible disease once and for all.
“That takes money. So the Gordon’s Fightback campaign will do everything to fund the cutting edge research we need to stop deaths from MND.
“For Gordon, and everyone else battling this disease, we will make it our personal mission to raise £1 million.
“Every pound in your pocket is progress towards defeating MND.”
Anyone who wants to donate can visit GordonsFightback.com and give whatever they can.
