Mountvale Private Nursing Home, Dromore, Co Down chooses a Registered Charity to fundraise for each year. This year the Staff decided to keep it close to home. We decided to work in conjunction with Dromore VAC (Dromore Veterans and Community Association) and Dromore Rugby club to fundraise for Motor Neurone Disease in memory of George Sloan, a former player of Dromore Rugby Club.

Before MND George worked as a diesel fitter but could turn his hand to anything. While his rugby playing days were behind him ( having played for Ulster and Ireland Youth Squad and Dromore 1sts) he remained a proud supporter of Dromore RFC.

George was fit and healthy before his diagnosis running and cycling regularly. While he loved heavy metal and rock music he was creative, artistic and loved to cook, garden and caravan. But most of all he was a family man and loved spending time together with his doting wife, Allison and their two boys, Harry and Alex who he adored & was so proud of.

Diagnosed in April 2023 at the of age 47, although symptoms had been present for a few yrs before this. MND is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for voluntary muscle movement. Over time MND causes muscle wastage throughout the body resulting in loss of mobility & paralysis, speech, swallowing and ultimately breathing are impacted. It is a terminal condition with no treatment or cure. Therefore fund raising is so vital to support both families living with this condition, but also research to ultimately find a cure.

George died 18th December 2025, age 49 yrs.

31 months after diagnosis.