MUNNO Para West resident Kane Johnson has seen first-hand the toll Motor Neurone Disease can take on a person and their loved ones.

The disease, which affects more than 2000 people across Australia, saw his grandmother’s health quickly deteriorate before her death.

“Last year on July 26 I lost my nanna to MND,” he said.

“It’s not that long ago, so it was a cause which hits pretty close to myself and my family.

“It’s quite tough to see one of your loved ones go from being fully functional to very quickly deteriorating in front of you.

“Not just her physical appearance, but your mental health goes down with it. Everyone else tries to stay strong and supportive but it gets really hard for you too.

“For the first year and a half she wasn’t too bad, but the last six months of her life you could clearly see it (her health deteriorating) from week to week.”

MND is a neurodegenerative disease which causes the body’s nerve cells – or neurons – to fail to work normally.

This causes muscles to gradually weaken and waste as neurons degenerate and die. It can affect a person’s ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe.

Around 400 people are diagnosed with MND each year, with around 58 per cent of sufferers under the age of 65.

There is currently no cure for the disease, but Mr Johnson is determined to raise as much money as possible to fund MND research.

He has pledged to shave his head and beard to help raise awareness for the cause, which he said he had no hesitations to do.

“A few people suggested my name to maybe have a shave for the cause and as soon as they asked I said yes,” he said.

“It makes very proud to know I can do something for the cause, even if it’s only shaving my beard and head.

“Any money we can raise will be going to a great cause to fight a horrible disease.”

Mr Johnson will shave his head and beard at Coles Gawler Green at Evanston on Saturday, with donations able to be made on the day.

The Coles Gawler Green store has raised the most money for MND research this year in South Australia as part of the company’s current campaign.

“I hope the donations will fly in on the day,” he said. “If you swing past just throw in a coin because everything helps.

“I’d like to thank our customers, especially during the COVID-19 period. It’s not the easiest time but people are still digging deep into their pockets and donating where they can.”