Tributes paid to Gordon Aikman as Motor Neurone Disease campaigner dies aged 31

MOTOR neurone disease (MND) campaigner Gordon Aikman has died aged 31.

Mr Aikman was just 29 and working as director of research for the Better Together side during the 2014 Scottish independence referendum campaign when he was given his diagnosis.

His husband, Joe Pike, announced his death on Twitter saying: “My beautiful husband Gordon Aikman has died. We are all heartbroken. He was my best friend, my soulmate and the love of my life.”

Following his diagnosis, Mr Aikman formed the Gordon’s Fightback campaign,successfully lobbying the First Minister to double the number of MND nurses and fund them through the NHS.

He also raised more than £500,000 for research to help find a cure for the terminal condition.

His family said in a statement: “We are heartbroken. Gordon was beautiful, kind, funny and utterly determined. He achieved more in the few short years after his diagnosis with MND than many of us do in a lifetime.

“Gordon’s campaigning and fundraising has truly inspired people, changed lives across Scotland and we are so proud of him. We will miss him terribly.”

My beautiful husband @GordonAikman has died. We are all heartbroken. He was my best friend, my soulmate and the love of my life. pic.twitter.com/nxPPz1ZVNB

— Joe Pike (@joepike) February 3, 2017

Mr Aikman received a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2015 and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh in the same year for his work to transform care for people with MND and his efforts to find a cure.

He worked as a senior adviser to the Scottish Labour Party and was Better Together’s director of research.

Figures from across the political spectrum have paid tribute to him.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “I am utterly bereft. Although we all knew time was precious, Gordon’s death comes as a shock.

“I have lost a best friend and the world has lost a man who made it a better place. I will keep Gordon’s husband Joe and all his family in my thoughts and prayers. The wedding of Gordon and Joe was one of the happiest days of my life. I will treasure those memories.

“I will miss Gordon’s smile, his laugh, his energy, his brilliant dance moves and terrible singing voice, and his positive outlook on life despite the hand he was dealt towards the end. I will miss his advice and I will miss campaigning with him to advance the causes dear to us. But most of all I will miss just spending time with my friend.

“All of us in the Labour Party will be forever grateful for his commitment to our movement, particularly during his time working in the Scottish Parliament and his pivotal role in the Better Together campaign. His death will be mourned by all those who had the pleasure to work alongside him.

“Although we grieve for Gordon, we must not allow our sadness to erase the many happy memories we have of his time with us. To respond to his MND diagnosis by raising more than £500,000 for research into this horrible disease so that others don’t have to suffer like he did should inspire us all.

“Gordon’s constant determination to do good for others was an antidote to a world so full of fear and anger. I hope that will be his legacy.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie tweeted: “Terribly sad. A generous, determined and gentle man. He has left a great legacy”, while Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson tweeted: “So sad this morning to hear of the death of Gordon Aikman, a brave & beautiful man. My thoughts are with his husband Joe Pike & wider family.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “I’m so terribly sad to hear that Gordon Aikman has died. He faced adversity with incredible courage and did so much good for others.

“Gordon’s campaign to raise awareness of MND Scotland and achieve better care and treatment for those diagnosed was inspirational.”

She urged people to honour his memory by donating to Gordon’s Fightback and added: “My thoughts are with {M0joepike and his loved ones.”

Following campaigning by Mr Aikman and the charity MND Scotland, MSPs also backed changes to the law that will give people who are at risk of losing their voice as a result of a medical condition the right to access voice equipment on the NHS.

We are all heartbroken for you, Joe. Love and thoughts are with you and all of Gordon's family. https://t.co/kfpUVUbFVF

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) February 3, 2017

Craig Stockton, chief executive of MND Scotland, said: “Everyone at MND Scotland is deeply saddened to hear of Gordon’s passing.

“Although Gordon was diagnosed with a terminal illness, this has still come as a shock to us all. I feel privileged to have known Gordon and to have worked alongside him on MND Scotland’s Board of Trustees.

“In the face of a devastating diagnosis at the age of just 29, Gordon turned his grief into a drive to fight for the rights of others affected and to fund a cure. In addition to his campaigning and fundraising efforts, Gordon has played a pivotal role in raising awareness of MND and the daily challenges people with the illness can face, through his own personal experiences.

“Gordon raised over £500,000 for MND Scotland which has been invested into cutting-edge research to find a cure.

“Gordon Aikman has been an inspiration to so many people across Scotland, not just to those affected by MND, but far beyond that.

“We cannot thank Gordon enough for everything he has done not only for the charity but for everyone affected by MND in Scotland.

“Our deepest sympathies are with his friends and family at this very sad time.”

Motor Neurone Disease is a progressive and debilitating disease that attacks the brain and the spinal cord. It leads to weakness and muscle wasting and can affect how patients talk, eat and breathe. There is no cure.

The average life expectancy from diagnosis with MND is just 14 months.

More than 450 people in Scotland are currently living with the illness, MND Scotland said.

Anyone who would like to support Mr Aikman’s campaign can do so at GordonsFightback.com or text MNDS85 £10 to 70070.