The Gordon Aikman Scholarship was launched to fund scientific research and support those with the condition
The first recipients of a scholarship which aims to lead groundbreaking research into a degenerative condition have been announced.
The Gordon Aikman Scholarship was set up in memory of the political researcher and campaigner to support individuals affected by Motor Neuron Disease, or their carers, and healthcare professionals to research and develop practical improvements in the way people with MND are cared for.
The fund, which is worth £50,000, is joint-funded by the charity MND Scotland and the Scottish Government.
The first two scholarships have been awarded to Alison Clarke, lead clinical nurse specialist in the long term ventilation service at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and Dianne Fraser, clinical specialist for Motor Neurone Disease, neurology department at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Clarke will be looking at how best to introduce people with MND to non-invasive ventilation, for example bringing people into hospital or training them in their own home, and to establish best practice across the country.
Fraser will investigate the potential of rolling out a technique for MND patients across Scotland, called breath stacking, which can reduce distress when choking occurs, keep the lungs elastic and healthy, and may reduce hospital admissions.
Lawrence Cowan, chair of MND Scotland and a close friend of Aikman’s said: “Gordon transformed MND care in this country. With these scholarships we want to inspire people to keep pushing boundaries and make a difference to the lives of people affected by MND.
“Gordon will always be my best friend. I miss him every day. But his memory lives on through the researchers and care professionals working day in day out to fight this horrible disease.”
Joe Pike, Aikman’s husband, said: “It is incredibly exciting that Gordon’s work improving the lives of people with MND is continuing through Alison and Dianne’s projects.
“Gordon transformed the care of MND patients in our country and these scholarships will now strengthen Scotland’s position as a centre of world leading research.”
