Canon Roger Knight is walking through five parishes to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease to commemorate the anniversary of his wife’s death. He will be walking between his current parish and through the five parishes he has served in.
He feels strongly about Motor Neuron Disease (MND).
“There is no cure or treatment and in most cases people die within two years. Stephen Hawking, the most well-known person with the disease, is the exception.”
MND is a fatal rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, attacking the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work. It kills a third of people within a year.
It affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time and kills six people every day.
Roger said: “It will include some prayer walking, 28 miles over five days, coinciding with the day the Archbishop’s ‘Thy Kingdom Comes’ starts – Ascension Day 25 May.
At the end of the walk he will end up in Naseby to plant a tree.
“Ann asked for a tree to be planted in her memory in the diocese. Naseby was our first parish where I was the vicar. The Old Vicarage Tearoom will lay on afternoon tea for the event.”
Roger said he visited the tearoom just before Christmas. “That was our old Georgian vicarage when we were at the church, in a beautiful setting and with a large garden.”
He went on: “Naseby has always been close to my heart. Our children grew up there. We were persuaded against our will to move after seven years. We really didn’t want to go.”
Ann was a member of the DAC and was advisor on burial places for cremated remains. In 1977 the cremated area was set up in Naseby churchyard during their time there.
The church is now extending that area. A tree will be planted close by.
Roger said there is a future plan as well: “My ashes are going to go there close to Ann’s tree.”
Denise Davies, Head of Community Fundraising at the MND Association said: “Without the amazing support of people like Roger Knight, the MND Association simply would not be able to provide its vital support services, fund research to find a cure and campaign and raise awareness of MND. Together we are making a real difference for people affected by this devastating disease.
Roger has a just giving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Roger-Knight6 For more information and to join the walk: 01536 628480 or email rogerknight41@outlook.com