As part of its Young Brightstars Programme, The Brightstar Group is hosting a special event focusing on the theme of ‘Overcoming Adversity’.
The event will see inspirational speaker and Motor Neurone Disease sufferer, Alex Gibson, addressing an audience that will include the ‘Young Brightstars’ (the five young athletes sponsored by Brightstar) and their parents.
Gibson, 44, was diagnosed with MND in 2018. A former GB decathlete, rugby player and nutritionist, he has been celebrated for his charity work and fitness achievements. In 2022 he completed a 185-mile bike ride of the Outer Hebrides in 24 hours.
Alongside this, Gibson has put his experience into founding Challenging MND, which sets out to create memorable challenges or experiences for people living with MND, giving them, their friends and families lifelong memories that can never be taken away.
Challenging MND also supports family carers to ensure that they get the chance for respite in their caring duties, by paying for professional carers to sit with their loved ones, to allow them to recharge their batteries.
MND is a debilitating progressive disease which involves degeneration of the motor neurones and wasting of muscles. Throughout the deterioration of the functioning of the body, the mind remains sharp and unaffected. Every day, six people are diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
Gibson will deliver a presentation at the event that will share his journey and his achievements, all of which will aim to provide inspiration to the Young Brightstars and help the young athletes to understand that experiencing failure and overcoming adversity is part of sport and indeed life.
Young Brightstars lead, Andrew Cappaert, said: “I am delighted to introduce Alex to the Young Brightstars. Having personally known Alex for over 20 years; played rugby alongside him and help him set up Challenging MND, I have been privileged to have heard Alex speak on many occasions, and he still inspires me each time I hear him speak.
“This promises to be an outstanding event and I feel confident that it will not only inspire everyone in the room but also and drive our young athletes onto greater things.”
