Lucy Lintott's campaigning work is recognised
Scotland’s youngest motor neurone disease (MND) sufferer has been named a Point of Light by Prime Minister David Cameron after turning her terminal diagnosis into an opportunity to help others.
Campaigner Lucy Lintott, 21, from Moray, was diagnosed with MND nearly three years ago.
Although the average life expectancy of someone with MND, from diagnosis, is just fourteen months, Lucy decided to not allow her terminal illness to win and is determined to make every day count.
Six months after being diagnosed, she started Lucy's Fight, a blog about her journey. After talking with her scouting leader Dougie McPhee, she was prompted to write a bucket list and has raised over £100,000 in funds for MNDScotland.
It's moments like these that I know I've done the right thing and that I'm on the right path
Lucy is the latest recipient of a Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.
Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
As part of her fundraising campaign Lucy has completed a range of events and personal challenges in spite of her condition including a sponsored five day walk covering 65 miles with twenty of her friends and family, music nights, fun days and auctions with the help and support of her community.
She regularly gives speeches on MND and recently addressed 1,000 people at a youth and philanthropy initiative event. In total she has raised over £100,000 for the charity MND Scotland.
Lucy’s daily blog helps readers understand the daily challenges of the condition and raises vital awareness of how it affects people like her.
Lucy said: “I'm so honoured to be presented with this award. It's moments like these that I know I've done the right thing and that I'm on the right path. I really hope that people realise a terminal diagnosis isn't the end of your story. If you don't allow it to be.
“MND doesn’t have the power to determine my future, I do!”
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Lucy has shown incredible courage and determination in taking her own experience of Motor Neurone Disease and using it to help others. Through her blog, she is raising awareness of MND, tackling misconceptions and inspiring a huge number of donations which are making a real difference in the lives of many others with the disease. Lucy is an inspiration and I am delighted to recognise her service to others by making her the 534th UK Point of Light.”
Craig Stockton, chief executive of MND Scotland, said: “We couldn’t be prouder of Lucy for receiving the Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award and for gaining this well-deserved recognition. Lucy is a true inspiration, not only to people affected by MND but to all of us. What she has achieved since being diagnosed, to raise awareness of and money for MND, has been incredible.
“We are truly grateful to Lucy for raising over £100,000 for MND Scotland. This money will go towards helping us continue to support people affected by MND in Scotland, as well as fund vital research into this devastating terminal disease.
“Receiving this diagnosis at such a tragically young age, I am in awe of the strength and resilience Lucy has shown. She continues to go above and beyond to make a huge difference to the lives of people with MND and her generosity is unwavering.”
