Mel Evans MBE Foundation

13/06/2026

BEFORE YOU DIE AS A HUMAN, DO THESE THINGS

1. Tell the people you love that you love them.
One day, there will be a last conversation, a last hug, and a last chance to say what truly matters.

2. Watch a sunrise without rushing anywhere.
Sit quietly and remember that life is happening beyond deadlines, notifications, and worries.

3. Forgive yourself for being human.
You were never meant to live without mistakes, failures, heartbreaks, or moments of confusion.

4. Travel somewhere that changes your perspective.
Stand before mountains, oceans, forests, or star-filled skies and remember how vast life really is.

5. Fall deeply in love with something.
A person. A purpose. A craft. Nature. Learning. Life becomes richer when your heart is fully awake.

6. Laugh until tears fill your eyes.
Some of the most meaningful moments in life cannot be planned or purchased.

7. Spend more time with your parents.
One day, you'll realize they were growing older while you were busy growing up.

8. Learn how to enjoy your own company.
If you cannot sit peacefully with yourself, there are parts of your soul still waiting to be discovered.

9. Help someone who cannot repay you.
The purest acts of kindness expect nothing in return.

10. Learn how to let go.
People leave. Seasons change. Chapters end. Peace begins when you stop fighting reality.

11. Express yourself without fear.
Sing. Dance. Create. Write. Speak. Don't leave your true self trapped inside self-doubt.

12. Spend time in nature.
The trees, rivers, rain, mountains, and stars have a way of reminding you what truly matters.

13. Stop worrying so much about what people think.
Most people are too busy worrying about themselves to judge you as much as you imagine.

14. Heal the wounds you keep hiding.
Unhealed pain quietly shapes your relationships, choices, and happiness.

15. Take photos with the people you love.
One day, those pictures may become some of your most treasured possessions.

16. Allow yourself to cry when life hurts.
Strong people feel their emotions. They don't spend their lives running from them.

17. Learn something deeper than survival.
Study wisdom, philosophy, spirituality, art, or the questions that give life meaning.

18. Experience true stillness.
A peaceful mind is one of the most beautiful experiences a human being can have.

19. Stop postponing your happiness.
Life is not waiting for you somewhere in the future. It is unfolding right now.

20. Leave people better than you found them.
A kind word, a helping hand, or a compassionate heart can leave a mark that lasts far beyond your lifetime.

One day, none of us will care how much money we made.

How many followers we had.

How impressive we looked.

We'll care about the people we loved.

The memories we created.

The kindness we shared.

And whether we truly lived while we had the chance.

Before you die...

Don't just exist.

Feel deeply.

Love fully.

Forgive often.

Be present.

Take risks.

Make memories.

And leave this world with a heart that can honestly say:

"I was here.

And I truly lived."

13/06/2026

On behalf of us all at the Mel Evans MBE Foundation we congratulate Sir Kevin Sinfield on his Knighthood.

From the courage and bravery of Rob to the superhuman efforts of Kev, MND awareness is in the best place it has ever been.

Kevin has said he will remain united with the MND community until a cure is found.

Thank you Sir 🫶. We salute you 🙏.

11/06/2026

Very proud of Mel Evans MBE Foundation patron Martyn Barrow. He is 👇

The work Martyn does whilst being main carer for his beautiful wife Anna Barrow is nothing but astounding 👏👏.

Martyn sees this as an opportunity to bang the 🥁, which indeed it is. It is also an opportunity to recognise the vital role of carers. Equally importantly it is an opportunity for this amazing man to get the recognition he deserves 🫶🙏.

06/06/2026

The George Pritchatt Memorial Ladies Classic
Sunday 7th June 10.00am start.

Proudly sponsored by NJ Installations and The Lunch Box Flint
Proudly hosted by Willenhall Nordley BC

Tomorrow is the 30th year of this tournament. That is quite an achievement and testament to the legacy Mel built.

The top half of the draw is full of experienced talent and former champions in the shape of Rachel Bennett, Kaye Coulthard, Sonia Robson, Susan Pugh, Lynsey Gorman and multiple Waterloo champion Linda Williams.

The bottom half of the draw will not disappoint spectators looking to watch some top class bowling. Prolific tournament winner Nicola Dolby Boulton, experienced Samantha Murray, Anne O'Loughlin, Maggie Pailing join last year's runner up Aly Evans, all looking to emerge from this side of the draw. Can anyone stop Shannon Kernick, reigning champion who is very much at home on the Willenhall Nordley green.

Play starts at 10.00am. Hot and cold refreshments available all day. Bar open from 12 midday. Ample free car parking.

All proceeds from the raffle to the Mel Evans MBE Foundation.

A day to honour the other very special man in my life. My devoted Dad George 🫶❤️. A man who introduced me to the sport that became my passion from the tender age of 6. Hard to believe that is approaching 50 years ago.

Wishing all competitors and spectators a great day.

Lynn ❤️.

03/06/2026

This week is National Volunteers Week 🫶. Volunteers are the backbone of our communities. They are the unsung heroes whose work often goes on quietly in the background.

Volunteers play a major role in the charity sector 🫶❤️. Without volunteers, charities would not be able to do the great work they do.

The Mel Evans MBE Foundation would like to pay tribute to all our volunteers, our unsung heroes who freely give their time to help us as much as they can.

Thank you so much 🙏. Please know your support, no matter what it is, is very much appreciated 👏👏👏👏.

31/05/2026

Mel Evans MND Foundation
Spring Review 2026

May has been Mental Health Awareness Month and, on a personal note, I cope with my own mental health challenges through our Mel Evans MBE Foundation. Our charity gives me purpose, a reason to keep going, and a little light against a backdrop of dark clouds.

April was a busy and memorable month. We staged our first Crown Green Bowling event of the year, the Les/Mel Evans MBE Invitation Classic, bringing people together in support of our cause.

We were also delighted to celebrate the wedding of two of our amazing patrons, Lewis Johnson and Ness Johnson 🫶. It was a beautiful day for a wonderful couple.

Lynn represented the Foundation at Martyn Barrow and Anna Barrow's Padel Challenge in Manchester - an incredible event where family and friends came together for a day filled with fun, laughter, love and friendship.

Staying in Manchester, our patron Lewis Johnson proudly represented the Foundation at the Manchester Marathon, flying the flag for Jord Pilkington and the entire MND community in typical Lewis fashion 🫶🥁.

26/04/2016 - Diagnosis Day

April marked 10 years since we received a diagnosis that changed our world 💔😪. Not a day goes by where I don't think about how the day unfolded and what life would be like had MND not come into our lives uninvited.

In May, the Foundation was represented by a team of incredible individuals who took on the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and Half Marathon in support of our charity. It was an inspiring weekend, with people of all ages and abilities taking on the challenging Leeds route for their own personal reasons. Their determination, courage and committment were truly humbling to witness. Thank you to our amazing team Lewis Johnson, Ian Johnson, Stephen Simpson, Chrissie Taylor, Jacob Cunningham, Lois Alison Toth, Craig Pritchard, Lauren Nadin and Felicity Kate 🫶❤️. I am in awe of you guys. Alongside the support team of Ness Johnson, Tracey Johnson, Sophie-Louise Johnson, Adam, Alice Simpson and Debbie Whitehouse Mndfeminabellator we really did bang the 🥁.

The Mel Evans MND Foundation returns to Leeds in 2027 to do it all over again!!

The month of May ended with a team of amazing people jumping out of a plane at 15,000 feet dressed in spidermen outfits to raise awareness of and vitally needed research funding in the fight against MND 🫶🙏. The spiderman theme was a nod to a young lad from Liverpool who lost his battle with MND at 11 years of age. The jump was to honour young Oliver, Spencer Bates, much loved and missed brother of our Executive Director Stuart Bates, Rob Burrow CBE and of course our Mel 🫶🙏. Such was the success of this challenge, the team are galvanising more supporters to do a jump in the autumn. Watch this space ☺️.

Now bring on June - a new month filled with opportunities and possibilities. A new month for doors to open, conversations to be had, and more chances to make a difference together. What is not new is our drive and desire to play our part in making a difference. So our 🥁 will beat louder and louder to honour our MND family 🫶.

26/05/2026

The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon 2026

This year the Mel Evans MBE Foundation had runners support our Foundation for the first time 🫶. We have had some amazing feedback from our participants and supporters 🙏❤️. Here is a snippet 👇

If you’re looking to take part in a memorable event and join an amazing support network then look no further, I had a brilliant time with the best bunch of people and can’t wait to do it all again - Alice x

I’m so grateful for all the support I received during this years Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, all of the guys & girls taking part and supporting made it a day I’ll never forget. If you’re tempted, absolutely go for it! You won’t regret it - Ste x

Would you like to join us in 2027? We'd love to hear from you 🫶🏃🏃‍♀️🥁.

Stuart Bates

21/05/2026

I am looking forward to attending this event once again.

To be in a room full of Early Career Researchers, it fills me with hope that we are slowly making a difference. We just want and need the pace of change to ramp up 🥁🙏🫶.

MND EnCouRage UK is a unique event where people with MND, families and carers can hear the latest research.

We will meet early career researchers, join small‑group discussions, and share our lived experience to help shape future MND research. Community registration is now open for the 15 July event in Loughborough.

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Find out more about how members of the MND community can take part in MND EnCouRage UK - an event which offers a range of opportunities for learning and networking, for both early career researchers and people living with and affected by MND.

18/05/2026

Please read and share this important call to action. Although we don't yet have a cure for MND, we are in the best position we have ever been. Now is the time to put our foot on the accelerator.

17/05/2026

The mighty Kevin Sinfield is banging the 🥁 for our Foundation. Have a listen to what he has to say 👇.

https://melevansfoundation.org.uk/event/rugby-legends-gala-dinner/