The family of MND fundraiser and campaigner Gordon Aikman announced his campaign passed the £600,000 total on what would have been his 32nd birthday

The fundraising campaign started by MND campaigner Gordon Aikman reached £600,000 on Sunday – the day which would have been his 32nd birthday.

His family has now vowed to continue fundraising until the total hits £1 million.

Gordon, who died just eight weeks ago, inspired the nation with his battle against the condition as he openly campaigned to raise money to fund research to find a cure for the disease, despite knowing any breakthrough would be too late for him.

Following his diagnosis in February 2014, the Fife man raised £500,000 and successfully lobbied the Scottish Government to double the number of MND nurses.

Money has continued to flood in since his death with his husband Joe Pike revealing on Sunday that the total stood at £600,442.

It was also announced on the Gordon’s Fightback website – the site set up by Gordon to raise funds during his lifetime - that his family would continue the fundraising as the #GordonsGift Appeal.

Mr Pike added: "I miss Gordon's voice, his eyes and his smile. I miss the in-jokes and affection and finishing each other's sentences.

"But Gordon never wanted pity, and I don't either. I want to turn a negative into a positive. I want everyone to mark Gordon's birthday by giving the gift of a cure for motor neurone disease.

"Gordon's real passion was finding a cure. Doctors do not know what causes motor neurone disease, let alone how to cure it. But scientists in labs doing research provided him with hope. Not that he would be saved, but hope for future generations.

"A cure for MND - that would be a real gift to remember Gordon by."

To donate to the #GordonsGift Appeal visit the Gordon's Fightback website.