TERMINAL ILLNESS TRAGEDY: BBC Breakfast SHARES Sad Update as Beloved Star Sufffers HEARTBREAKING LOSS
BBC Breakfast took an emotional turn on Monday after Sally Nugent and Jon Kay announced some sad news. After speaking about Kevin Sinfield’s mega challenge to raise money for MND, Motor Neurone Disease, the show shared the story of another guest who had his voice “robbed” by the disease.
Motor neurone disease (MND) is a progressive, life-limiting neurological condition that affects the nerves controlling muscle movement. It causes progressive muscle weakness, which can lead to muscle cramps, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and eventually, breathing difficulties.
There is currently no cure for MND, but treatments focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
“And today marks the start of Kevin Sinfield’s latest epic challenge to raise money for and awareness of Motor Neurone Disease in memory of his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow,” Jon Kay began.
Sally continued, “This time, Kev and his team are taking on another seven ultra marathons running to places across the UK and Ireland they have never been to before. Today’s leg of the challenge takes them from Bury St Edmunds to Ipswich.”
Jon and Sally on BBC Breakfast (Image: BBC)
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael was diagnosed with MND (Image: BBC)
Jon continued, “Where it’s wet, and it’s windy, and it’s grim. But do they care? They love it. They’re out in force. And John Maguire is there with Kev to send him off.”
John went on to explain the places Kevin and his team would be visiting and the people they would meet along the way.
He said, “It promises to be an extraordinary week, and of course, what they’re doing, they’re raising money. They’ve raised so much money so far, way more money and awareness of this dreadful condition.
“This is what the week’s going to be like. This is some of the people they will meet as they travel around the UK and Ireland.”
A voiceover went on to share, “There are many traditions associated with court trials in the UK, but there’s also innovation, and here in Dundee, it’s believed to be a world first.
“Sheriff, Alastair Carmichael directs the court and jury, then delivers his judgments using artificial voice technology after Motor Neurone Disease robbed him of his voice.”
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael was robbed of his voice (Image: BBC)
Sheriff Alastair shared, “It’s important to me to carry on doing this for as long as I can. Working gives me a focus away from MND, and it allows me to feel like I am still participating in society.
“MND is nasty, and nobody should have to face it alone. If I did not have this help, I would not be able to carry on working.
“The 7 in 7 Challenge is a way to make sure that this wonderful help can continue to be available for people who need it.
“Everyone’s experience of an MND illness or disability is different. I am now far more reliant on other people than I used to be, and this is a humbling situation to be in.”
BBC Breakfast airs daily at 6am on BBC One.
