Campaigner Gordon Aikman has praised British actor Eddie Redmayne for dedicating his win at the Oscars to people living with the Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
The political researcher, who has the disease, said awareness of MND never been higher following the star's success winning the best actor award for his lead role in The Theory of Everything.
In the movie, the star portrays physicist Stephen Hawking in his battle with the disease.
Redmayne told millions of TV viewers in his Oscars acceptance speech that the prize belonged "to all of the people around the world battling ALS," the American term for MND.
Mr Aikman said: "Eddie Redmayne's performance was tremendous.
"He clearly put in the hours researching the condition and observing those dying from it.
"His portrayal of the condition was scarily accurate. At times I felt like I was watching my own life in fast forward.
"But it is important to remember Stephen Hawking is the exception.
"Half of people with MND die within 14 months of diagnosis. The truth is MND is a death sentence and there is no cure.
"Between the brilliant success of the Theory of Everything and the ice bucket challenge awareness has never been higher. We need to turn that awareness into action."
Mr Aikman was honoured at The Herald's Scottish Politician of the Year Awards for his campaign, Gordon's Fightback, which has raised awareness and more than £100,000 for research into the disease.
The Scottish Government has agreed to double the number of specialist nurses to 14 after Mr Aikman challenged First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the issue during the awards ceremony last November.
Accepting his Oscar, Redmayne used the term ALS, which is used in the US. It stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the most common form of MND.
The disease can rob people of the ability to speak, move and breathe.
Mr Aikman, a political researcher, added: "The only way we can find a cure is through funding research.
"If people are inspired by the film please donate what you can at GordonsFightback.com.
"Every pound raised is a step closer to making MND a part of history. We need all political parties to commit to double MND research funding. The more we invest the quicker we will find the cure.
"It'll be too late for me, but we can and we must fund a cure for future generations."
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