Charity raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease

A hard hitting film showing the last months of a man with Motor Neurone Disease will be shown next month in Pitshanger.

A group of volunteers, from the West London and Middlesex branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, are working hard to highlight the devastating condition that is motor neurone disease (MND), by organising a screening of the critically acclaimed film I Am Breathing.

The film captures the last few months of the life of Neil Platt, who was diagnosed with MND at just 34 years old.

It was narrated using the words taken from Neil’s blog telling his own story through memories and impressions of his life – the sheer joy of falling in love, of partying with his mates, of fast motorbike rides.

Neil’s parting wish was two achieve two things: Leave a legacy for his son Oscar and raise awareness of the rapidly progressive and fatal disease which attacks the motor neurones that send messages from the brain to the muscles. It leaves people unable to walk, talk or feed themselves and eventually unable to breathe. The cause of the disease is unknown and there is no known cure.

Since being launched in June 2013, I Am Breathing has been seen by thousands of people at more than 270 screenings worldwide and thanks to poster space donated CBS Outdoor and Greater Anglia trains, the message has been seen by an estimated 25 million people on the London Underground and National Rail network.

Denise Davies, Head of Community Fundraising at the Motor Neurone Disease Association said: “Thanks to the support of our branch and group volunteers, we are able to make Neil’s wish come true by holding film screenings around the country. Together, as a charity, we are positively increasing the awareness of this terrible disease to ensure continued research and care.”

The free screening will be held on 10 November 2013 at 7pm in the St Barnabus Millennium Hall, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing, W5 1QG. Along with the screening, visitors will also be an opportunity to ask questions and speak to volunteers.

23rd October 2013