Family, colleagues, friends and pupils of a teacher have raised £3,000 for the charity which supports people with Motor Neuron Disease.


Teachers from across Grange Technology College united to put on Alstock - a concert by and for school staff held at Odsal Stadium raised more than £2,500 for the Motor Neuron Disease Association.


Alan Livett was diagnosed with the disease last summer.
The event, organised by technology teacher and guitar player Rhys Jones, raised more than £2,500 and featured Mr Livett’s favourite music.


Mr Jones said staff, which includes Mr Livett’s wife Ginny Sheehy, were more than willing to get involved as Mr Livett is such a popular teacher who has been so involved with the school.
“Staff were all coming out of the woodwork. We had staff from the cook through to the head involved,” he said.


Around 30 staff were involved in the gig, held in March.
The college’s PE department has also raised £300 with a Three Peaks challenge and a tutor group led by pupil Shabnum Munir, raise £73 with an Easter egg raffle.


Head teacher Paul Burluraux said Mr Livett sets an “incredible example” to the school.
“He doesn’t need to work, but here he is,” he added.


In June Alan’s son Kieran will tackle the Classic Quarter 44 mile ultra-marathon. The race starts at Lizard's Point and ends at Land's End - the most southerly point to the most westerly point of mainland Britain.
Kieran has set himself a target of £2,000 and can be sponsored at www.justgiving.com/runkesboyrun.

Mr Livett used to be a keen golfer and walker, but now taking only a few steps is a struggle as the effects of Motor Neurone Disease take hold.

His symptoms started four years ago and in August he was finally diagnosed with the progressive disease that attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord.

“It effects my legs more than anything. I used to play golf and did quite a lot of walking, but now, 50 yards and I’m shattered,” said the father-of-three.

Although Mr Livett suspected he had MND, the reality of the diagnosis was still painful but he is determined to raise awareness.

“I was devastated,” he said. “But the fact is that I’m here and showing you can still lead a normal life, or as normal life as you can.”

Mr Livett, of Baildon, is deputy head teacher at Grange Technology College in Haycliffe Lane, Bradford where teachers and students have been massively supportive.

Mr Livett, 57, said there are 5,000 people in the country with MND. Each week five people are diagnosed with it, and five people will die from it.

“I want to be able to promote it and make people more aware of it. It needs funding for research. You require quite a lot of processes to support you, but it’s a short term illness.

“I don’t know how long I’ve got left on this planet, whether it’s two years, five years or ten years. You’ve just got to get on with it.”