Bulls fan Martin Moran battled with MND for five years

Martin Moran died at the age of 48 after initially being diagnosed with the condition in September 2017. 

He contracted Covid last month which caused him to have breathing problems. He was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary but sadly died two days later.

Devoted couple, Martin and Helen Moran (Image: Helen Moran)

Mr Moran, who used to work as a bereavement services officer for Bradford Council, was permanently in a wheelchair and could only use his eyes to speak with.

He had movement in his feet but could not eat for himself. Mr Moran spoke via eyegaze grid pad equipment before his death.

His wife Helen was his full-time carer at their home in Eccleshill after she gave up work in April 2018.

The couple met at the Great Northern pub in Stanningley in February 1994 and married in August 2003.

Mrs Moran said: “He just fought every single day. Every day was a battle. Some days were very difficult for him. Some days were really dark for him. It was awful to see him decline so much.

“I gave up work in 2018 and I’m so glad I had those five years with him. It was an absolute honour to look after my husband. I would do it again for him. I’m forever grateful to have had that time with Martin. Every minute of every day was precious.

I loved him. He was my soulmate. He was the love of my life

“With MND, you don’t have time. Every minute counted. I feel sorry for anyone going through it, it’s devastating.

“He had a long, hard battle for five years and then to be taken really cruelly by Covid, it’s just so sad.

“I loved him so much and would not have seen him struggle. I would have rather have had it (MND) than him.

The signed Leeds Rhinos jersey given to Martin Moran by Kevin Sinfield (Image: Helen Moran)

“He had such a lovely nature and that came through even when he used a machine to speak through. He was funny and cheeky. We just clicked straight away. It was beautiful.

“He was always joking. He was really, really fun to be around. He would light up a room and people would gel with him instantly. He had a really infectious personality.

“Martin just wanted to be happy for people and he would be smiling all of the time.

“We were very lucky with the NHS, carers and the MND groups over the five years.”

Mr Moran, who died on December 4 last year, loved sport and would regularly attend Bradford Bulls and Bradford City matches. He also participated in a host of sports before being diagnosed including football, rugby league and kickboxing, and would regularly attend the gym.

Helen and Martin Moran enjoyed tea with the then Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Shabir Hussain in February 2022 (Image: Newsquest)

He told the Telegraph & Argus weeks before his death that Kevin Sinfield was his personal hero and backed him during his seven-day ultra-marathon challenge in aid of MND charities, which the rugby league legend completed in November 2022.

He has raised more than £2.3 million to date.

Sinfield had previously met Mr Moran at a Bradford restaurant in September 2021 after presenting him with a framed and signed Leeds Rhinos shirt.

It also featured a personally signed message to Mr Moran which said: "Best wishes and keep smiling, Kevin Sinfield."

Mrs Moran added: “He loved his sport. He loved Bradford Bulls. He supported them when they were Bradford Northern. We used to go to every home game. He used to go to Bradford City games with his friends on a Saturday afternoon. He really enjoyed football.

We were extremely saddened to learn of Martin Moran's passing on Sunday morning.

Martin's strength in the most difficult of times remains an inspiration to us all, along with the rest of @mndassoc community.

Our thoughts and condolences are with Martin's family and friends. pic.twitter.com/m5BERHtZUd

— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) December 6, 2022

Bradford Bulls paid their own tribute to Mr Moran in a tweet that said: “We were extremely saddened to learn of Martin Moran's passing.

“Martin's strength in the most difficult of times remains an inspiration to us all, along with the rest of the MND community.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Martin's family and friends.”

In February 2022, Mr and Mrs Moran were invited to tea with the then Lord Mayor, Councillor Shabir Hussain, and were given a guided tour of City Hall.

After their visit, the couple shared their whole-hearted thanks by sending a letter to Cllr Hussain. 

They wrote: "You and your staff treated us like royalty during our visit and we cannot thank you enough.”

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