Sailor and Charity Campaigner Jenny Green looses long battle with MND
by Fiona Brown 17 Jan 2013 18:33 GMT
22 December 2012
Well known British Fireball and Dragon sailor Jenny Green (nee Bunting), of Goldhanger, Essex and Magagnosc, France, passed away peacefully on 22nd December following a long battle against Motor Neurone Disease. A familiar face at sailing events across the UK and Europe, Jenny had struggled to resist the crippling disease known as MND/ALS/SLA/Lou Gehrig disease for some three and a half years. A disease that slowly removed the ability for her to do the things she loved; sailing, cycling, playing with her grandchildren and the things we all take for granted, walking, talking and eating. She bore the disease with amazing strength and inner fortitude.
MND currently has no known cure or treatment, but in spite of her own utterly bleak prognosis Jenny was determined to raise funds for MND research to aid future victims of the disease. Over the course of two years and despite becoming increasingly disabled Jenny and her friends and family completed a series of fundraising challenges for MND research.
Those challenges included sailing her Dragon in the 80 strong Regattes Royales event in Cannes despite no longer being able to stand or cross the boat unassisted and riding her mobility scooter all the way from Paris to London, plus numerous fun runs, charity concerts and gala dinners. Each of her mad cap adventures were supported by her family and friends who rapidly adopted the nick name "The Bloody Jenny Club" in honour of the cry that went up amongst the gang every time Jenny came up with yet another crazy fundraising idea she wanted to rope them into. Ultimately Jenny and her family and friends raised more than £50,000 for MND research.
Jenny is survived by her mother Patricia, husband Malcolm, children Nicolette, Joanna, Mark, Robert and Penny and grandchildren Thomas, Sophie, Jack, Matthieu, Josephine, Archie, William, Isolde, Oscar, Harry, Charles and Edward.
There will be a Service of Thanksgiving for Jenny's life on Saturday 19th January at 11.00am at Goldhanger Church, Maldon, Essex. Family flowers only and at Jenny's request please make donations instead to Motor Neurone Disease research.
To donate to Jenny's fund for Motor Neurone Disease research please click on the Virgin Money Giving link at left - all donations go direct to the charity.
For more information please visit www.jennygreenchallenge.org. For additional information and photographs please contact Fiona Brown on e-mail or tel +44 (0)7711 718470.
For more information about Motor Neurone Disease visit www.mndassociation.org
The Jenny Green Challenge Fund is a not for profit organisation run entirely by volunteers. Every penny raised goes to support research into the causes and treatment of Motor Neurone Disease.