Redcar councillor helps motor neurone disease patients
A councillor who suffers from a muscle wasting illness has donated money for equipment which will make the lives of other patients easier in hospital.
Redcar and Cleveland councillor Mike Findley was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2005, and has been fundraising ever since.
He has donated £3,000 to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough to buy a special nurse paging system.
The devices are so sensitive they can be activated by blowing.
Consultant neurologist Dr Peter Newman said: "Mike is an inspiration to us all and has been an ardent supporter of this hospital over the last five years.
"We have given a lot of thought to how we could best use this money for our patients.
"These switch devices support people with extremely limited movement and should provide the practical support they need and give them a sense of independence and security."
Mr Findley realised he was ill when he was unable to keep his arm up while shaving.
After diagnosis, he set up the Mike Findley MND Fund and has raised more than £64,000 through sponsored events.
He said: "As long as people keep giving their generous support, my MND fund will continue raising funds and raising awareness of this terrible disease."
Neurological ward sister Emma March, who is based at the James Cook Hospital, said: "We need to give our patients more independence, control and security and this will mean they aren't relying on shouting someone or asking the patient next to them to call a nurse."