A HAMILTON man has set himself an ambitious goal to ensure his father is able to continue enjoying life after a shock motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis last year.

Ross Cloete is hoping to raise $30,000 to buy a wheelchair accessible vehicle, so his father, Chris, can continue to “have the freedom to enjoy his life” after he was diagnosed with MND in April last year at just 49 years old.

Ross said his dad’s specific type of MND, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, attacked the nerve cells in his muscles, leaving him unable to walk.

“His MND will allow him to live a bit longer than others MNDs – one person with this type was diagnosed at 21 and lived until he was 76, so we’re hopeful we’ve still got quite a few years left with dad,” he said.

“But the quality of life isn’t going to be there … the MND attacks his muscles and means he won’t be able to walk.