A MAN given just months to live has vowed to use his time to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease research.
John Adams, who lives in Vines Lane in Droitwich, was diagnosed with MND four and a half years ago and was told he had a life expectancy of just 18 months.
United To End MND was left out of the government’s budget review with the campaign having requested a £50 million investment into research.
Now, Mr Adams has decided to try to raise the money himself while getting into the Christmas spirit at the same time.
His daughter, Helen Millward, said: “When he watched the news article on TV regarding MND research funding he put in his voice machine ‘I want to do something to help’.
“Dad has always loved Christmas and the first year he was diagnosed every present he received was a framed photo of the individual with him! He found this very funny and told everyone you have a got me for a few more Christmas’s yet!
“So every Christmas he says the same thing ‘see I am still around’.”
Mr Adams decided to make Christmas tags for presents and has already greatly surpassed his £300 target.
A Just Giving page was launched on Thursday, November 4, and so far £1,209 has been donated with Mr Adams and his family having made over 2,000 tags.
Mrs Millward said: “The only part of his body he can now use, however limited, is his hands so gift tags were something he could support with.
“Even though his hands are hurting he has been making them all day, he even has his Christmas jumper on!
“We have orders and messages of encouragement from all over the world!
“Family, carers and friends are now known as John’s little elves!”
Reflecting on her dad’s battle with MND, Mrs Millward added: “The consultant told myself and my brother that dad’s life expectancy was 12 to 18 months. Dad refused to accept this.
“He has lost the use of his legs, receives food and fluid through a peg in his stomach, he cannot speak, and he has a catheter, but he never complains and he smiles and laughs every day.
“Everyone who meets him say he is the most contagious, positive man they have ever met.”
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