Glasgow man's mission after brother diagnosed with MND

“He was walking a bit funny too, but like a lot of people will tell you, you just don’t think it’s going to be MND,” says Adrian, simply.

“Then one evening I got a phone call from my mum and could instantly tell something was really wrong. That’s when she told me that Brian had been diagnosed with motor neuron disease.”

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided. There are no effective treatments for MND.

Adrian adds: “I was in a complete state of shock."

As the disease has progressed, Brian no longer has use of his arms or legs and now uses a wheelchair full-time as well as a ventilator to help him breathe.

Adrian, who lives in the West End, says: “Although it’s still a very difficult journey, since Brian was diagnosed, I don’t know where we would be without the support of MND Scotland and I want to continue to give back to the charity that has done so much for our family.”

Adrian, who is now MND Scotland's chairperson, is calling for keen cyclists to join him on a 205-mile Chase the Sun ride on June 24, which starts at sunrise in Northumberland and ends close to the brothers’ childhood home in Ayr at sunset.

Adrian after his gruelling Monster Challenge last year (Image: MND Scotland)

Last year, Adrian raised more than £75,000 by completing five events, including a 5km swim in Loch Ness, 1000km of cycling and an ultra-marathon (50km) in London.

He explains: “Following the success of my Monster Challenge last year, I decided to keep up with triathlon training for my own health and fitness rather than ask people for more money.

“That was until Brian’s battle earlier this year with illness alongside his MND inspired me to find my next challenge.”

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He continued: “With Chase the Sun setting off at sunrise in Northumberland on the east at 4.16am, I knew this would be a challenge, but the fact the ride finishes at 10pm, outside our old family home on the seafront in Ayr, told me that this was the right event for me.”

Adrian Murphy (Image: MND Scotland)

MND Scotland’s CEO Rachel Maitland said: “After already doing so much for MND Scotland, both as chair of the board and as a fundraiser, we cannot thank Adrian enough.

“Motor neuron disease is a devastating condition and we are only able to continue to provide vital services and fund pioneering research thanks to the support of our incredible fundraisers."

To sign up or find out more visit the MND Scotland website.