FRANKIE Boyle is among a host of comedy stars who will perform to help Motor Neurone Disease (MND) victim Gordon Aikman in his efforts to one day uncover a cure for the terminal disease.
FRANKIE Boyle is among a host of comedy stars who will perform to help Motor Neurone Disease (MND) victim Gordon Aikman in his efforts to one day uncover a cure for the terminal disease.
Mr Aikman, who at age 29 has been told he will die as a result of the condition, is using the time he has left to raise awareness of MND and to appeal for increased funding for research.
Stewart Francis and Patrick Monahan are among the other names confirmed for the fundraising event, in aid of MND Scotland, which is taking place at Glasgow's King's Theatre in March.
Mr Aikman said: "To have such huge stars teaming up to help fund a cure for MND is amazing. It means a lot to me, but more importantly, it means we can cure MND faster.
"MND is a death sentence for me, but with your help we can help find a cure for future generations."
A former Labour Party press officer and director of research at the pro-UK Better Together campaign, Mr Aikman was diagnosed during the independence referendum campaign.
He made a speech at The Herald's Politician of the Year event in Edinburgh last month, prompting a meeting with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Ms Sturgeon agreed to examine the provision of MND care after she met with the campaigner, who has so far raised over £100,000 for new research.
Glasgow comedian Janey Godley, a regular on Radio 4's Just a Minute, and Gary Little have also agreed to perform at the comedy event.
Mr Boyle said: "MND is a shocking and horrible disease. No one should have to go through it, but to stop it we need money to fund research into a cure.
"Buy a ticket or give whatever you can to make this disease a horrible part of history."
Tickets for the show, priced between £15 and £20, are on sale on the Glasgow International Comedy Festival website.
Mr Monahan, winner of ITV's Show Me the Funny, described Mr Aikman's attempts to help future generations as "amazing and inspirational".
He added: "Every pound is a step closer to a cure for this terrible disease. Get your tickets, have a laugh and let's do all we can to fund a cure for MND."
Iain McWhirter, Head of Fundraising and Volunteering at MND Scotland said: "The money raised from this event will help us get closer to one day ending the pain and suffering of MND for good."
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