FOR thirty years, David Beesley has found a “cathartic” purpose in raising awareness for motor neurone disease (MND) in his father's name.

Having raised around £50,000 so far for those suffering from MND in the Cumbria area, David’s efforts are set to continue with the return of this year's 'Shake on the Lake' event on July 13. 

Aboard the Raven, the flagship of the Ullswater Steamers, the event often brings with it over 130 attendees.

David's dad, Howard Beesley, a well-known hairdresser in Carlisle who is described as a ‘true gentleman’, suffered from the disease and ultimately passed away at the age of 46 when David was 23. 

There was no support for MND patients to be found nearer than Blackburn or Sunderland at the time of his father’s diagnosis, so his father's partner, together with healthcare professionals, established the Cumbria MND group which David continues to champion.

In 1993, David embarked on a bungee jump, making an effort to draw attention to the disease that eventually took his father's life.

His mother's subsequent remark - "I’ll pay you not to do it again!" - encouraged what would eventually become the 'Shake on the Lake' fundraising cruises.

The first ever Shake on the Lake was in 1994. Pictured: David and friends, Fran Boyd & Angela McTeague.The first ever Shake on the Lake was in 1994. Pictured: David and friends, Fran Boyd & Angela McTeague. (Image: Supplied)

“The drive for me is very cathartic,” David said.

“It’s horrible to watch your parent pass away in such a cruel fashion. The sadness is extreme and then the relief weirdly is extreme when the person passes, so you know they are not suffering anymore.

“For me to be able to turn that negative on its head to something positive, it’s helped on a personal level.

“It’s me sticking two fingers up to MND. I will raise awareness for MND for the rest of my life. But hopefully, in my lifetime, a cure will be found,” he said.

With David being a diehard Carlisle United fan, he was distraught to hear the news of Blues hero Tony Hopper’s diagnosis back in 2017.

A previous 'Shake and the Lake' event saw funds go directly to the Hopper family as well as an emotional appearance from the family themselves on the boat.

From Shake on the Lake's 20th edition with So What Martin Smith & Paul Musgrave, David and Sean Duval Todhunter From Shake on the Lake's 20th edition with So What Martin Smith & Paul Musgrave, David and Sean Duval Todhunter (Image: Supplied)

With backing from friends and family, such as his brother-in-law Sean Duval Todhunter who volunteers as the DJ, and bands like Paul Musgrave and Martin Smith's So What, who have continued to play in the benefit for free, the event typically raises between £2,000 to £3,000.

“I’m so grateful to the people who have supported us over the years—my brother-in-law and the bands for playing for free, and the guests for all their support,” David said.

“People who are dying of MND in Cumbria will be getting the benefit of the boat trip as well as what the likes of Sue Hopper continues to do.

"It’s not about a pat on the back; it’s about making people aware," he said. 

To find out more or donate to Cumbria's MND association, you can visit https://www.mndassociation.org/support-and-information/local-support/branches/north-and-west-cumbria-group