Tory MSP Miles Briggs says he became friends with Gordon 12 years ago. 

Mr Briggs says the last time he met him was at a silent auction to raise funds for MND Scotland.

The Tory MSP says Gordon delivered a speech at the auction which began "I'm dying and fast."

He says there was not a dry eye in the house. 

Mr Briggs says Gordon would not forgive him for letting this debate pass without mentioning those who are under 65, with neurological diseases, that are being charged for personal care.

He says parties across the chamber will work with the minister to change this. 

He says he feels privileged to have known Gordon and he will never comprehend how "after being given a death sentence at 29" he was able to do so much work for others. 

Mr Briggs quotes Mr Aikman who said: "it is too late for me but with your help we can find a cure for the next generation."

Image source, bbc

Gordon convinced the Scottish government that the NHS, rather than charity, should fund a team of specialist MND nurses and double their number to 12.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Claire Baker better services for people who face this terrible illness.

Ms Baker, clearly moved, says "all of us are hurting" with the loss of Gordon.

The Labour MSP says families and people who suffer from MND are benefiting thanks to Gordon's strong legacy.

She says her mother was diagnosed with MND and says it took over a year to get the diagnosis.

Ms Baker says Gordon's response tells us so much about the man he was and it is important we do not forget how talented he was.

She says Gordon worked for her husband Richard Baker and he was a "positive, charming, funny man". 

Ms Baker says Gordon was a political animal and part of the Labour family.

She says curing MND in Scotland would be a fitting tribute to Gordon.

SNP MSP Clare Adamson says the disease can strike anyone and the rates of the disease are not currently understood. 

Ms Adamson says refers to Stephen Hawking who has not had a typical journey with MND and his early struggles with the disease is documented in The Theory of Everything.

The SNP MSP also talks about how the football world was rocked by the news that former Rangers star Fernando Rickson was diagnosed with the illness. 

She says he sister suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and still works as a GP. 

"I was not Gordon's friend, but he is my friend," she says, "his work will help in finding a cure to neurological diseases, what a legacy to leave."

Image source, MND Scotland

A new £25,000 scholarship to support improvements in motor neurone disease (MND) care is to be set up in honour of Scottish campaigner, Gordon Aikman, external.

The Gordon Aikman Scholarship will fund individuals and professionals to develop practical improvements in the way people with MND are cared for – such as sharing best practice in specialised physiotherapy or developing a better understanding of carers’ educational and support needs.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said the scholarship programme would commemorate the contribution Gordon Aikman made to improving the lives of people with MND and continue his legacy.

Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour says he has been very moved by this debate.

Mr Balfour congratulates Kezia Dugdale for her speech and says "as a superhuman," he expects the chamber to listen to him more carefully.

The Tory MSP goes on to talk about the importance of carers saying in the past the Tories have argued for respite for carers. 

He says in February 2016 the "landmark Carers Bill" was passed by Parliament which will allow carers respite.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP George Adam says sometimes with adversity some people take on superhuman strengths and Gordon did that.

Mr Adam says Gordon's efforts led to more help for other neurological disorders and he talks of his wife, Stacey, and her fight against MS.

He says there is a need for further investment in neurological conditions.

The SNP MSP says we must continue with Gordon's campaign. 

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says it is his "great privilege" to offer the support of his party to the motion and amendment.

Mr Cole-Hamilton says Mr Aikman had the uncanny ability to persuade people to take part in things they wouldn't normally do to raise awareness of MND.

The Lib Dem MSP says, at 29-years-old when he received his diagnosis, Mr Aikman didn't want pity but wanted to raise funds for future research.

Mr Cole-Hamilton says this is the measure of the man he was.

Motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner Gordon Aikman died aged 31.

He was diagnosed with the disease in 2014 while he was director of research for the Better Together campaign ahead of the Scottish independence referendum.

He went on to win cross party support for his Gordon's Fightback campaign, calling for funding to find a cure for MND and specialist nursing care.

His efforts raised more than £500,000 for research into MND.

In a statement, Mr Aikman's family said they were heartbroken by his death.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says the thoughts of her party are with Gordon Aikman's family and friends.

Ms Johnstone says Gordon deserves the most fullest praise, not just for what he did, but for the way he did it.

The Green MSP says Gordon spoke publically and bravely on MND.

She says the first minister's speech at the memorial service detailed an exhaustive series of achievments and she praises Kezia Dugdale's euology.

The Green MSP, like many of her colleagues in the chamber, points out that Gordon raised more than £500,000 for research into MND.

Image source, AP

The Ice Bucket Challenge that went viral in 2014 has funded an important scientific gene discovery in the progressive neurodegenerative disease ALS, the ALS Association, external says.

Scientists have identified a new gene contributing to the disease, NEK1.

The Ice Bucket Challenge has raised $115m (£87.7m) from people pouring cold water over themselves and posting the video on social media.

It was criticised as a stunt, but has funded six research projects.

Ice Bucket challenge: What's happened since?

Ice Bucket Challenge: 'One in six Britons took part'

When the Ice Bucket Challenge spread to Iran

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar says "it is with a heavy heart, I rise to speak in this debate."

Mr Sarwar says Gordon would want Parliament to focus on future deliveries of research and care for MND. 

The Labour MSP says, when Gordon got the news of his illness, he did not focus of himself but what he could achieve for others in the future.

He says Mr Aikman nominated him to take part in the ice bucket challenge much to the amusement of his family. 

"The world is a poorer place without Gordon Aikman but is a better place because of him."

Image source, bbc

Maree Todd expresses her condolences to Gordon's family and friends.

She goes on to pay warm tribute to former South Africa captain Joost van der Westhuizen, who died aged 45 after he was diagnosed with the debilitating motor neurone disease.

Van der Westhuizen won the World Cup with the Springboks in 1995.

Image source, Getty Images

SNP MSP goes on to applaud Gordon's "tireless campaigning" and says his legacy will be long and lasting. 

Image source, bbc

Conservative MSP Brian Whittle says he admired Gordon greatly.

Mr Whittle says he deserves our admiration and respect and he says his knowledge of him comes mostly from his Sunday Times column.

He says the choice of Gordon's Fightback was a great choice as that is what he did.

Mr Whittle syays: "Gordon began the fightback but it is ours to finish."

He says he hopes one day we wont be talking about Gordon's Fightback, but Gordon's Victory.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Christina McKelvie says her "big, strong, funny dad" was diagnosed with MND at 45 years old.

He had to give up work shortly after, she says.

Ms McKelvie says her family went through loss, anger, fear and heartbreak.

She says the benefits system was almost impenetrable, as it is now, and a fast track benefits system, that she campaigned for alongside Gordon for would make all the difference.

The SNP MSP says to hear those words today from the minister was amazing.

Ms McKelvie says Gordon brought hope and it is a very powerful motivator and it can move mountains.

She says Gordon Aikman's legacy is hope. 

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Donald Cameron pays tribute to Gordon Aikman and offering his sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Mr Cameron says he is sorry he did not meet Gordon as he was clearly a remarkable person.