Gordon Aikman

Gordon Aikman (born 2 April 1985) is a Motor Neurone Disease campaigner and former Director of Research for Better Together.

He studied at Kirkcaldy High School where he was Head Boy, and read Business at the University of Edinburgh. In 2007, he was elected as the sabbatical officer responsible for welfare and student societies in the Edinburgh University Students' Association ^[1] After graduation he worked at the Scottish Parliament for the Scottish Labour Party.^[1] In September 2012, he was appointed as Director of Research^[1] for the Better Together campaign in the Scottish Independence Referendum.

MND Campaigning

Aikman was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease - a degenerative neurological condition - in June 2014 and wrote about this in The Scotsman.^[2][3] He had initially complained of persistent numb fingers. Since his diagnosis he launched a 'Five-Point Fightback' campaign calling for increased research funding to help find a cure for MND. He is also called for specialist MND nurses in Scotland to paid for by the NHS and not by charitable donations. The campaign also included a demand o fast-track welfare payments for those with MND.^[4][5]

His campaign was launched soon after his diagnosis and has drawn support from across the UK political spectrum.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11]}

After meeting Gordon Aikman in November 2014 when he won the Judges' Award at the Scottish Politician of the Year awards, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that there would be a review of Motor Neurone Disease care in Scotland.^[12] Nicola Sturgeon later announced she was honouring her promise to Gordon Aikman and that the NHS in Scotland would begin to fund specialist nursing, and double the number of MND specialist nurses.^[13]

Fundraising

Gordon has raised over £250,000 for Motor Neurone Disease research.^[14] A Glasgow International Comedy Festival night featuring Frankie Boyle, Stewart Francis and Fred MacAulay raised £25,000.^[15]

Writing

He has written about his campaigning work and personal journey with MND for The Scotsman, Daily Record and The Herald.^[16] He now writes a monthly column in the Scottish edition of The Sunday Times.^[17]

References