Whitley Wander Event Aims to Raise £50,000 for MND Research

A fundraising event dedicated to raising money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research will take place this month, following the death of Janine Turnbull, a North Tyneside mother who inspired the initiative. The Whitley Wander is set to occur on January 24, 2025, with the aim of reaching a financial goal of £50,000 for vital research.

Janine Turnbull passed away in August 2023, leaving behind a legacy of community support and fundraising efforts. Her family and friends have raised over £45,000 to date, which is being allocated to research at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN). Another £17,000 was used to make essential adaptations to her family home, reflecting the immediate impact of MND on those affected.

Janine’s sister, Nicole Brown, expressed her determination to continue fundraising until a cure is found. In a statement to ChronicleLive, she said, “People shouldn’t have to go through the horror that Janine went through. With MND, you begin grieving that person’s death from the time of diagnosis.” Nicole emphasized that while it is too late for her sister, efforts must continue to help others facing similar diagnoses.

The Whitley Wander will begin outside Spanish City in Whitley Bay at 11:00 AM, winding through the scenic sea front. Nicole believes that events like this are what her sister would have wanted, stating, “I think she’d want us to meet up and laugh and smile and connect.”

Community support remains strong, as highlighted by Dominic McDonough of the MND Association. He stated, “It is fantastic to see the local community coming together once again for the Whitley Wander in memory of Janine.” The funds raised will support multilateral research efforts aimed at developing disease-modifying drugs and improving the quality of life for MND patients.

In addition to the Whitley Wander, other fundraising events are planned in Janine’s memory. Her husband, John Turnbull, will perform with his band, Pirates, at the King Street Social Club in Tynemouth on February 21. A recent Christmas single by the Rush family also contributed over £1,000 to the cause during the festive season.

As fundraising efforts continue, the Turnbull family is determined to keep Janine’s memory alive while contributing to the fight against MND. The community’s ongoing support and dedication illustrate the impact one individual can have in raising awareness and funds for critical research.