A Cardiff man has opened up about the heart-breaking reality of his brother's motor neurone disease diagnosis. Richard Hopkins, 55, from Whitchurch, was diagnosed with aggressive MND on May 21 last year and was given sixth months to two years to live.
Motor neurone disease is a life-shortening condition that impacts the brain and nerves and currently has no cure. There is a one in 300 risk of getting MND in the UK. Richard's oldest brother Jeff, 66, said Richard first sought help after he dramatically lost weight: "It took him nearly six months to get a diagnosis. Richard is actually quite positive about it all though.”
On the anniversary of Richard’s diagnosis, Jeff is climbing the Three Peaks challenge in the Brecon Beacons along with family and friends to fundraise for the charity MND Association. “This whole idea is Richard’s. Quite frankly it is too late for him. But he wants to help fund research for this life-limiting illness. My brother isn’t someone famous but that doesn’t change the fact he has MND. He wants to leave behind a legacy and we want to fulfil Richard’s wishes,” said Jeff.
