Cricket Fan Battles MND by Turning His Passion Into Fundraising Hope

Nick Varley, a 58-year-old cricket enthusiast, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in November 2024. The condition has since affected his hands and legs, stopping him from playing the sport he loves. MND is a fatal and rapidly progressing neurological disease with no cure. It damages motor neurones, which eventually stop working, affecting movement, speech, eating, and breathing. In the UK, more than 5,000 people live with the condition at any one time, and every day, six new cases are diagnosed. A third of those diagnosed die within two years.

Varley is now turning to cricket for a different purpose. He is recruiting amateur players to join the MND Association team for fundraising. The association is also challenging the public to raise money this summer, with every pound making a difference. Cricket will now help raise funds and awareness for the MND Association. Varley’s efforts aim to support research and care for those living with the disease. The initiative highlights the urgent need for action against MND.