A MAN whose "world collapsed" upon hearing he had Motor Neurone Disease will take on a world record attempt with his lifelong friends at Saints' stadium this year.
Playing for Haydock rugby league club for most of his life and keeping himself active once he hung up his boots, Ian Cummings is described by his friends as a fit, healthy and popular Sintelliner.
On a routine gym session in late 2020, the dad-of-two felt a twitch in his left arm that wouldn't stop, but was initially told it would likely be a trapped nerve and nothing to worry about.
However, a further assessment gave the health insurance professional the unexpected and shattering information that he had a high probability of having Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
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MND is a degenerative condition which affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, so as Ian's health began to deteriorate he said it was "no surprise" when he was given the final diagnosis last summer, although he added that this "didn't stop it hurting any less".
Ian, from Haydock, said: "At 43, feeling relatively fit and being told you have a terminal condition with no meaningful treatment available is soul destroying.
"The speed of the deterioration is intense, in March last year I was playing golf at Royal Birkdale whereas today, less than 12 months on I doubt I could even lift a golf club.
"The loss of speech is the worst, my heavily slurred speech makes it almost impossible to communicate at times."
Initially trying to hide his diagnosis from friends and family to "save them from the pain and worry", a family intervention forced the truth out in what proved to be a turning point.
Since then, the 44-year-old noted that everyone closest to him has been "amazingly supportive and rallying around to help".
Despite the degenerative condition of MND, Ian and his closest friends have committed to breaking a world record of which he could be a part of, in order to raise awareness of MND and fundraise for the MND Association.
Settling on breaking the record for the furthest distance travelled in a golf buggy over 24 hours, the world record attempt will see the friends doing continuous laps around Saints' Stadium on Saturday, April 29.
Mark Abbott, Ian's friend who has helped to organise the event, said: "Ian is a big Saints fan, so after trying a couple of other locations and being quoted extortionate fees, we put in a request but didn't expect much back.
"But the team at Saints have been absolutely amazing. They have been so accommodating in helping us set it up, and allowed us to do a trial run at the ground.
"Ian's an immensely popular guy and I don't think he realised how much people want to help.
"So we're trying to build as much momentum until April and then completely smash the record so no one else bothers trying to attempt it!"
Ian and his friends also paid special mention to Carryway Golf Buggy hire, who offered their buggies free of charge, as well as giving expertise on how to keep things moving for the full day.
To support Ian and his friend's world record attempt and raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, you can visit the fundraiser here.
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