Motor Neurone Disease Association and Toyota GB

The diagnosis of a colleague with motor neurone disease was the driver for the team at Toyota GB to adopt the Motor Neurone Disease Association as charity partner. What began as a three year commitment has been extended twice, with the partnership now in its sixth year and a £1 million fundraising target in sight.

Toyota GB staff have thrown themselves into a myriad fundraising activities from Tough Mudders to bake sales and bike rides, in memory of their colleague who sadly died in 2022, with the money raised being used to offer practical support to people with MND, including grants for wheelchair adaptations and specialist equipment.

The partnership is more than simply a staff challenge. The company's senior team have sought out opportunities to support a number of Association projects and developed new opportunities working with people affected by MND and the charity.

The company has pledged financial support for the MND Association's podcast and played a significant role in supporting the development of the charity's new brand. Teams have been involved in skill-sharing workshops supporting the charity with fleet management and the long term loan of branded vehicles. And the development arm of Toyota GB took on the challenge of helping to find solutions for people with MND whose mobility is impaired, with a prototype robot they developed to help inform research partners.

The final year of the partnership is now underway with £875,000 banked to date.