Help make the beach accessible for MND sufferer

My husband is Robert Spotswood, a step parent, brother, uncle, grandad and good friend to all who know him. Robert is a brave kind gentleman who has spent his life giving and supporting others through his work as a Counsellor, lecturer and electrician. Robert is a family man and loyal friend. Robert has run marathons all over the world raising thousands of pounds for local charities but now needs some support to provide him with a simple piece of equipment which will enhance his quality of life.

Robert has MND.

Robert Spotswood is a local man born in Rhos on Sea who has lived with Motor Neurone Disease for seven years.  Robert has spent his whole life in Colwyn Bay, North Wales where the  beach has been a playground throughout his childhood and adult life, a Marathon runner raising thousands of pounds for local charities  and a multi talented water sports person Robert has enjoyed Welsh Coast to its full.


During  Robert’s self employment as an electrician it was known that if the sun shone Robert’s office would be relocated to the beach where Robert would be found swimming, wind surfing or Sun bathing.

Robert was diagnosing with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2014 and was given two years to live.

With MND, messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles. This leads the muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste. MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. Some people also experience changes to their thinking and behaviour. However, MND affects everyone differently. Not all symptoms will affect everyone, or in the same order. Symptoms also progress at varying speeds, which makes the course of the disease difficult to predict.

MND is life-shortening and there is no cure. Although the disease will progress, symptoms can be managed to help achieve the best possible quality of life.


Robert, with family and friends began a difficult journey challenging MND and raising money towards finding research.

Quiz nights organised by family to raise much needed research funds.

Robert was key to a charity event run by  a local hospice which raised enough money for a gym to be installed providing specialist equipment. Robert’s selflessness continued as he enrolled on research trials, attended conferences and used his awareness of MND and the effects MND m was having in his body to continue to help others.

Robert has had MND for seven years and has now lost all upper body use which has made Robert wheelchair dependent. Robert also has difficulties with eating, drinking and breathing slowly becoming trapped within his own body, Time is precious and running short however   Robert continues to embrace life, a grandad to seven children who he has watched develop a zest for life and a love for their coast but Robert is no-longer able to go onto the beach to share their experiences.

My wish is for Robert to be able to go back onto his sandy playground, there is a specialist wheelchair that would make the beach accessible and allow Robert enjoy the feel of the sand and sea against his skin and build memories with his grandchildren.

BESPOKE BEACH WHEELCHAIR 

“We are so pleased to be able to offer a wheelchair that makes a trip to the beach an "access all areas" experience.  With this chair you are not restricted to being near the sea, you are able to enjoy being on the beach and better still, into the sea. “

MND cannot be stopped or reversed, but therapies, equipment and medication can help manage symptoms. These can all help you achieve the best possible quality of life.

Please help Robert who has given so much to others build some lasting memories with his grandchildren and stop him being a spectator. 

Your support will make a huge difference in Roberts life and give him back the freedom to go onto the beach.