George Chapman, 70, was a beloved Bolton fitness instructor – known to people as “King George”.
Now he is wheelchair-bound with a rare disease.
A “fun, smiley” man, he got his nickname for his famous circuit training sessions in Bolton and Horwich leisure centres.
Last year, George was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) – a condition where brain and nerve cells (motor neurones) gradually stop working.
And the brain and spine lose function.
Tara McMahon, 42, his daughter, said: “One minute he could walk, work and do everything, then he started having problems with his legs.
“He was falling, unable to walk up and down the stairs.
“That’s when he went to the doctor and was sent to the hospital for tests. He was diagnosed with MND.”
The disease progressed quickly.
Tara said: “He started being unable to use his legs and needed a walking stick.
“Now he is wheelchair bound and losing arm function.”
George had stayed active for years, a fitness enthusiast since his time in the Territorial Army.
Tara, who is from Bolton, said: “My father has always needed to be out and about doing things.
“He’d kept his job as a painter and decorator after retiring from teaching circuit training.
“He gave up work when he fell ill.
“And has had to move into a home that looks after people with MND.
“It’s been tough going from being able to do everything to doing nothing.
“But my father is strong. No matter what he goes through, he’s always smiling.”
Now, Tara and George are spreading awareness of MND.
Tara said: “While he’s still got a voice, he wants to get information out there and raise money for a cure.”
On October 6, they will hold a charity fun day in Little Lever Cricket Club from noon to 4pm to raise awareness of MND and gather funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).
'King George' will be the guest of honour.
Tara said: “It will be a fun day for families.
“There will be arts and crafts, raffles, gifts, face painting and tombola.”
Motor neurone disease (MND) is rare and mainly affects people in their 60s and 70s, according to the NHS.
It causes weakness that gets worse over time.
It is not genetic and there is no cure, but treatments can help reduce the impact on daily life.
MND can significantly shorten life expectancy, but some people can live with it for many years.
Early symptoms can include weakness in the ankles or legs, slurred speech, a weak grip or muscle cramps.
To attend Tara and George’s Charity Fun Day, come to Little Lever Cricket Club on October 6 from 12.00 PM to 4.00 PM.
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