. “Thank you Lesley” Eddie calls long-standing volunteer

Eddie was so effervescent. He was very knowledgeable about MND – it was clear he’d done a lot of research for his role in The Theory of Everything.

Lesley Connor,

volunteer

Ahead of Global MND Awareness Day, MND Association patron and Hollywood actor Eddie Redmayne took time out of his busy schedule to call long-standing volunteer Lesley Connor and thank her for her years of service.

During the conversation, Eddie, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of our late patron Professor Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything, chatted with Lesley about her background as an occupational therapist, her volunteering roles and the advancements in awareness, research and technology she has seen over the past two decades.

Eddie thanked Lesley for her 20 years of service to people living with and affected by MND locally, as an Association visitor, and nationally, through her evening volunteering role with our MND Connect helpline.

Eddie said: “It was such a treat to meet Lesley and thank her for everything she has done to support the MND community. As a patron of the Association, and to mark Global MND Awareness Day, it was a real pleasure to acknowledge the tireless work of all who volunteer their time to support people living with MND and those around them.”

While Lesley was nervous at first, she soon relaxed and enjoyed the conversation with the Hollywood star.

Lesley said: “Eddie was so effervescent. He was very knowledgeable about MND – it was clear he’d done a lot of research for his role in The Theory of Everything. He spent 20 minutes thanking me for what I do, and I thanked him for his work as an MND Association patron, too. I was very nervous to begin with, but it was a lovely experience.”

The conversation was recorded and the resulting film was shared on Global MND Awareness Day on 21 June to raise awareness of MND and the work of the Association.

You can watch the film at www.mndassociation.org/awarenessday