“You Either Cry or Fight”: Carlow Dancer Julie Kelly leads IMNDA’s ‘Walk While You Can’ Campaign
Annual campaign has raised more than €864,000 since 2019 as IMNDA aims to take total fundraising beyond €1 million
When Carlow ballroom dancer Julie Kelly was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), she faced the loss of many of the activities that had shaped her life.
Her response was simple: “You either cry or fight.”
Now, Julie, 62, from Hacketstown, Co. Carlow, is the ambassador for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association’s (IMNDA) annual ‘Walk While You Can’ campaign, which is calling on people across Ireland to organise a 5K walk this October.
Now in its eighth year, the campaign has raised more than €864,000 since 2019. This year, the IMNDA hopes communities across the country will build on that support and help take the campaign’s total fundraising beyond €1 million.
Individuals, families, workplaces, schools, clubs and community groups can organise a walk on Saturday, 17th October, or choose another date during October.
Julie’s Story
Julie was a competitive ballroom dancer, musician, horse rider and motorcyclist before her MND diagnosis in June 2025.
She first noticed a problem while preparing for a major dance competition, when her ankle suddenly became weak. Following scans, tests and physiotherapy, her mobility continued to deteriorate.
She went from using a walking stick to a frame and now relies on a wheelchair.
The diagnosis also meant giving up many of the activities she had enjoyed throughout her life.
“My whole life had come to a stop. My hobbies were all hit in the head; dancing, horses, motorbikes and playing drums and singing in our family band,” Julie said.
“My life changed big time in the wink of an eye. So I said, ‘Julie, you either cry or fight.’ So fighting I’ve been doing.
“I get out and act myself. I will not let it define me. I am stronger than it and I will fight on.”
Julie is now encouraging people to take part in ‘Walk While You Can’ and help raise funds for the services and equipment that people living with MND and their families rely on.
Supporting People Living with MND
MND is a progressive, life-limiting neurological condition that affects the motor neurones responsible for controlling movement.
As the disease progresses, people can lose the ability to walk, speak, eat and breathe independently. The rate of progression varies, but support and specialist equipment can be needed quickly.
Funds raised through ‘Walk While You Can’ help the IMNDA provide specialist nursing care, counselling and essential equipment for people living with MND.
This includes customised electric wheelchairs and Eye-Gaze communication technology, which can enable people who have lost their ability to speak to communicate with family, friends and carergivers.
The IMNDA also supports research into MND, with the aim of improving understanding of the disease, developing better treatments and ultimately finding a cure.
Kevin Burn, CEO of the IMNDA, said:
“Every euro raised through ‘Walk While You Can’ helps us provide vital support to people living with MND and their families, including specialist nursing care, counselling and essential equipment.
“More than €864,000 has been raised through this campaign since 2019, but the need for our services continues. This year, we hope people across Ireland will help us take that total beyond €1 million.
“A walk can be as simple as getting together with family, friends, colleagues or your local community. Every event, large or small, helps us continue to support families living with MND.”
How to Take Part
Registration for ‘Walk While You Can’ is now open. Participants can:
- Register online through the IMNDA campaign page. See www.imnda.ie
- Set up a fundraising page and invite friends, family and colleagues to support their walk.
- Organise a 5K walk on Saturday, 17 October, or choose another date during October.
- Get their community involved by bringing people together to raise funds and awareness of MND.
The campaign is open to everyone, whether taking part as an individual, organising a workplace walk or bringing together a local community group.
Since 2019, thousands of people have taken part in ‘Walk While You Can’, helping raise more than €864,000 for people affected by MND.
This year, the IMNDA is asking communities across Ireland to help take that figure past €1 million.
Register for ‘Walk While You Can’ today at www.imnda.ie
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Media queries: pr@imnda.ie
