Friends of MND runner to complete fundraising goal

Nick Deane raised £78,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association

Friends of a runner with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), who raised £78,000 for charity, have said they will continue his work following his death.

Nick Deane, 58, from Shrewsbury, died last Friday, and his running group, Shropshire Shufflers, described him as the heart of their club.

Mr Deane was also a run director for his local parkrun and it said he "showed incredible courage and determination by dedicating himself to fundraising for MND".

Debbie Armstrong from Shropshire Shufflers praised his positive outlook despite his diagnosis in November 2023, and said he was "a wonderful and inspirational man".

Another member of the group, Bob Turner, said: "So many people would have just buried their head in the sand and not wanted to do anything, but for Nick it has been completely different.

"'Lets find something positive' has been his attitude all the way through."

The pair said their group had all been determined to get their friend to his fundraising goal of £100,000, and there will be collections at this weekend's parkrun, plus a raffle and bingo nights, with more fundraising activities being planned.

Ms Armstrong said Mr Deane had "done so many wonderful things, even before his diagnosis".

In a tribute to him, Shropshire Shufflers described him as "the welcoming handshake at parkrun and the encouraging word on a cold morning with the Shufflers".

The group said: "He had a gift for making everyone feel seen and valued, always taking time to chat, to listen, and to make us feel we belonged."

Shrewsbury parkrun said he volunteered on more than 90 occasions, "taking on almost every role imaginable".

It also issued a tribute and said: "He made everyone feel part of the parkrun family.

"His kindness, generosity and quiet humour touched so many of us."

A minute's applause will be held at the start of this Saturday's run to celebrate his life.

The parkrun team invited runners and volunteers to wear Shropshire Shuffler kit or MND colours in his honour.