Motor Neurone Disease charity website crashes as it is inundated with donations in memory of Professor Stephen Hawking

Tributes: Prof Stephen Hawking was left in a wheelchair after being diagnosed with MND
AFP/Getty Images
Chloe Chaplain14 March 2018

The website of a leading motor neurone disease charity has crashed after receiving a surge in donations from people paying tribute to Professor Stephen Hawking.

The family of the world-famous scientist announced on Wednesday that he had died peacefully at his home in Cambridge, aged 76.

In his early twenties he was diagnosed with a rare form of MND which was to render him almost totally paralysed and left him relying on his wheelchair for much of his life.

As news of the professor’s death spread, a wave of people began donating to the MND Association in memory of the man who made a lasting mark on science despite his physical hurdles.

The charity was so inundated with pledges that the website buckled under the strain.

Hawking: The Oxford graduate was diagnosed with MND in his 20s

“We've had an influx of donations this morning following the death of Professor Stephen Hawking. Our website is currently down,” the charity tweeted.

“We're working to get it live as soon as possible. Thank you all for your support. If you're trying to donate, you can visit http://www.justgiving.com/mndassoc .”

Chris James, the director of external affairs at the charity, later said that the charity had seen a "small increase in donations" but believed the website crash was down to people "interested in finding out more about the disease".

“Through so many years in the public eye, Professor Hawking did a huge amount to raise awareness of MND, and this legacy continues today," he added.

Following his death, the chief executive of the MND Association Sally Light had praised Prof Hawking for raising the profile of the charity’s work.

"All of us at the MND Association have been extremely saddened by the news of Professor Hawking's passing,” she said.

Scientist Stephen Hawking - In pictures

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"Through so many years in the public eye he did a huge amount to raise awareness of motor neurone disease, yet he never allowed himself to be defined by his illness.

"His approach to life with MND is an example to all of us."

MND is the collective name for a group of diseases that affect the nerves in the brain and spinal cord that control movement.

Tributes: Stephen Hawking

The condition progressively damages parts of the nervous system which leads to muscle weakness, stiffening and waste.

Prof Hawking survived for around half a century after being diagnosed with MND, despite being told he had just years to live when he was diagnosed.

The disease kills a third of people within a year and more than half within two years of diagnosis, according to the MND Association.

The condition is fatal, and usually progresses rapidly, affecting the brain and spinal cord.

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