Lydiard Park is the venue for the Motor Neurone Disease Association's 'Walk to D'Feet' event.
The 5km fundraiser on Sunday 8 September at noon will use the same wheelchair accessible route as Park Run.
Gloucestershire and Wiltshire branches of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) have joined forces and money raised will be split between both counties, giving grants to local sufferers and to fund research into a cure.
The entry fee donation is £10 (including a free T Shirt). It’s not too late to register, and all are welcome to do so by calling 07734 084290 or emailing [email protected]
The association says that five years ago Motor Neurone Disease was not well-known. However, following TV documentaries and high-profile fundraising campaigns of rugby players such as Rob Burrow, Kevin Sinfield, and Doddie Weir, awareness of this debilitating, life-threatening disease has grown significantly.
People can see a clip of Rugby star Rob Burrow’s final message before he died this year at https://www.facebook.com/reel/1770310220556844
Around 6,000 people In the UK are registered with MND at any one time.
Graham Powell, Chair of the Gloucestershire branch of MNDA, said: “Sadly, every day six people are newly diagnosed with MND, but six people also die from MND.
"Although the numbers remain the same, it masks the heartbreak for nearly 2,200 families every year.”
There are 6 to 8 different types and only two are hereditary. Of those diagnosed annually, a third die in the first year, half in the second year and survival beyond five years is exceptional.
People such as Professor Stephen Hawking who lived with an early-onset, slow-progressing form of MND for 55 years, are exceptionally rare. To donate directly to the MNDA, people can visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/mndglos-169149651623#updates
Other facilities at Lydiard Park include parking, two cafés and children’s parks including an adventure trail for teens. Lydiard House is open to visitors, and woods surrounding the large lake are beautiful.
The Conference Centre has a restaurant for Sunday Lunches, although booking is advisable.
A spokesperson for the MNDA said: "Everything is there to help make it a great day out for all the family while making a huge difference for people less fortunate than ourselves."
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