Skip to content

Community rallies round neighbour with MND

BBC Janine Turnbull in her wheelchair surrounded by her family and dozens of neighbours of all ages. They are filling the street on a sunny day with houses and trees behind.BBC
Neighbours described Janine Turnbull as "truly inspirational"

A community has come together to support a woman who helped those struggling during Covid-19, after she was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).

Janine Turnbull supported her North Tyneside estate during the pandemic by arranging clothing, furniture and financial support.

The 44-year-old former police officer from Whitley Bay was diagnosed in 2023 and has recently started using a wheelchair to cope with the effects of the disease, which has no cure.

Neighbours on the Wellfield estate took part in a walk to raise money for MND research, with one describing her as "one in a million".

Deborah May, who lives on the estate, said: "Everyone on the estate knows her, mainly due to her amazing generosity.

"Her passion to provide help and support to those who need it is clear to see and what's truly inspirational is that she's still doing all she can for others, despite facing her own challenges."

Janine pictured in her wheelchair and holding a charity donation bucket. She has shoulder length blonde hair and is wearing a blue coat and dark blue hat.
Mrs Turnbull has raised thousands of pounds for charity since her diagnosis

Mrs Turnbull described the disease as "hell on earth".

"It's like being a prisoner in your own body. You're trapped," she said.

"Your brain's working fine and it's telling you to do stuff but your body won't behave."

She said her family was being positive.

"We try and laugh. We always have," she said.

"We're just trying to move forward and I'm really, really hoping that there will be a cure and that I'll be able to live a life.

"And to be able to see my son Ethan live his life as well."

Janine Turnbull Janine with her husband and 11- year-old son. Janine has shoulder length blonde hair and is in a wheelchair, with her husband and son standing alongside her. They are all smiling. Janine Turnbull
Mrs Turnbull said her family was being very positive

Having started helping the local community during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mrs Turnbull continues to co-ordinate mutual aid groups from her smartphone despite her diagnosis.

Hundreds of neighbours turned out for a walk in January to support her family.

Her sister Nicole Brown arranged the Wellfield Wander as the final part of her efforts to fundraise for the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, which researches conditions like MND.

Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].

More on this topic
Related internet links