Orthodontist raises over £45,000 to support people with MND

An orthodontist from Exeter who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) just before Christmas has raised more than £45,000 in just six weeks to support other people facing the same devastating diagnosis.

Jon (Joff) Machell was diagnosed with MND, a terminal neurological disease, in October 2025. He first experienced the early symptoms in March of that year, during a skiing trip with family and friends. Despite being told time is limited, Joff is determined to support other people affected by MND by raising money for the MND Association, the largest MND charity in the UK.

Six people every day are diagnosed with MND in the UK. It’s a disease which affects the brain and spinal cord and leaves people unable to speak eat or even breathe. There is no cure.

Since he started fundraising on 31 December, Joff has raised more than £45,000 – money which will support people with MND, their families and carers and help fund vital research.

Joff explained: “I was on a snowboarding trip in Austria which involved some really fun times on and off the slopes. One evening, a good friend of mine asked how much I had been drinking, but the reality was that for some strange reason my speech was becoming slurred because my muscles were not working normally. At the same time, back at work, I noticed my typing was not as accurate as it used to be, so I decided to contact my GP for advice.

“There were lots of tests, including an MRI scan to rule out a brain tumour. At one point I tested positive for Lyme disease which seemed to fit the picture, as I have always spent lots of time outdoors, I kept alpacas and I loved wild swimming. I subsequently saw a speech and language therapist who was concerned that my speech issues may not be related to a tick bite.

“When the diagnosis came, the consultant neurologist was very kind, but the information was grim. He explained I had MND and while the progress of the disease is variable, there is no cure and time is limited. I held tight to my wife Pamela’s hand and walked out of the hospital entrance into the sunshine. Everything felt surreal and it was as though I had been hit by a car. I promptly fell apart and started sobbing uncontrollably.”

After taking time with Pamela and their children to process the news, Joff realised he wanted to channel his experience into something positive and decided the best way to fight MND was to start raising money for the MND Association.

“I realised that blubbing all day and letting the negative emotions take over wouldn’t help and that I had to pick myself up dust myself down and find a sense of purpose,” he explained.

“I really loved my job at Exeter Orthodontics, the lovely kind staff and wonderful patients and parents. I had just celebrated 25 years of working there and was incredibly sad to have to stop work in November, to prioritise time with my family and friends. I have always loved swimming and swam the 11-mile length of Lake Windemere for charity in 2023. Marathon swims now, were out of the question due to muscle weakness, but I came up with the idea of taking cold dips in some beautiful places to help raise awareness and raise important funds to help others.

“I grew up in St Ives in Cornwall, so swimming and surfing has always been really important to me. It’s sociable and the endorphins really help with my mental health. “The campaign has been brilliant so far and I’m incredibly grateful and humbled by the kindness and generosity of everyone who has supported me.”

To learn more about Joff’s challenge, or to donate, you can visit his fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/page/jon-machell-7?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Find more information about MND and the MND Association by visiting mndassociation.org