Last week, Rugby School welcomed back former teachers Richard McGuirk, former Chemistry teacher (08-25), and Seckin McGuirk, former Maths teacher (15-25). They spoke about their memories of Rugby School and Seckin’s journey following her Motor Neurone Disease (MND) diagnosis.

Richard and Seckin reminisced about their time in Mitchell as DHm, their tutor groups, the students they taught, and their wonderful colleagues, including Mike Bayly and Tim Day. They also shared photographs from their time at Rugby.

Seckin was diagnosed two and a half years ago with MND and is on a journey with friends and family to raise awareness and funds for the specialised treatment currently available to her only in Germany. Seckin has SOD1 MND, which means there is a possibility of accessing medication that can help manage the symptoms.

The treatment, known as Tofersen/Qualsody, offers not only the chance of more valuable time but also an improved quality of life - something not currently possible for Seckin in the UK.

Despite every effort over the past year to access the Tofersen Early Access Programme and potential treatment options within the UK, the decision has been made to seek the specialised care Seckin needs in Germany until it becomes available here. However, this comes at a significant cost.

Over the coming months, Seckin, Richard, their family and friends will be completing a range of challenges to raise money for Seckin’s treatment. Their initiatives include:

• Running the Battersea Chasing the Moon 10K on 26 November
• A virtual “run to Germany and back” challenge (1,500 km), which can be followed on the run2germany Instagram page
• An online florist raffle
• The Milton Keynes Half Marathon
• A sports dinner and memorabilia evening in the New Year

Their journey can be followed on their JustGiving page here.