Dear Lynn/Mel Evans MBE Foundation

I first met Lynn via social media channels following my successful completion of 7 Half Ironman Triathlons in 7 days, a story of endurance, passion, team work, enduring through pain, obstacles and never give up attitude, all of which I can associate truly with Lynn and the team, having spoken together, I joined Lynn on her remarkable 14 Bowling Club walk in 14 days, 20 long and enjoyable miles from Manchester to my home town Wigan, meeting various friends of the foundation.

Lynn has engaged many, in memory of Mel and to help make a change and end Motor Neurone Disease through funding research and awareness, joining myself also in the build up to the 800mile, 7 day Triathlon Impossible across Europe, a pleasure to meet once again in June 2023, in Orrell, many items on the agenda going forward, the latest was the magical evening in Leeds, November 2023, Masked Entertainer Gala Dinner, with Rob Burrow CBE, Marcus Stewart and many more

Here’s to 2024 and beyond..

I met Lynn at an MND Association event last year and was instantly in awe of her resilience and drive. We share an unfortunate similarity in that we are both touched by the awful disease MND. I am a patient living with the disease and Lynn lost her beloved husband Mel with a speed and ferocity that is inhumane.

What Lynn has and continues to achieve with the Mel Evans MBE Foundation is nothing short of miraculous. Having experience of the havoc this disease causes, she puts passion into everything she does, building not only a wonderful legacy to Mel, but also a focal point for people to direct their energies in the fight against MND. I 100% endorse the visions of the foundation, ‘Awareness’ which is desperately needed and ‘Research’ into effective treatments or maybe even a cure.

Lynn you are a true inspiration, on behalf of the whole community – thank you for all that you do.

I’m honoured to serve as a patron of the Mel Evans MBE Foundation. Motor Neurone Disease is one of the most cruel diseases that can impact an individual. With no cure, and limited treatments, the impact is devastating – not only on the person, but on their whole network of family and friends.

Within the bowling community, Mel Evans was both a fierce competitor and a driving force behind the development of the sport. When his diagnosis came, the sport lost a truly inspirational figure. Now is the time for the bowling community to unite and come together to support Mel’s Foundation in raising funds to support the vital research needed to ultimately find a cure – and prevent anyone else from being impacted by this horrendous disease.

I’m honoured to have been able to help support Lynn over the last few years, and I’m looking forward to supporting everything the Foundation does going forwards. Awareness of Motor Neurone Disease is growing daily. Throughout the 2022 ‘Walkathon’, we were blown away by how many people had been touched by the disease, and the generosity that they showed to our endeavours. By working together, amazing things can happen.

Lynn having chosen to support Leeds Hospitals Charity and the appeal for the Rob Burrows MND centre in Leeds has worked very collaboratively with us as a charity. Not only raising valuable funds by having worked hard at putting on some fabulous and fun events but supporting and embracing the MND community every step of the way. I cannot thank Lynn enough for the support that she has given and her wonderful way of building lasting and valuable relationships and ultimately the difference she is making for MND patients and their families. 

I am delighted to be an Honorary Patron of The Mel Evans MBE Foundation. I have had a very keen interest in Crown Green Bowls for many years, having played the sport with my Father in Liverpool before finding my passion for snooker. I have always been an admirer of the skill demanded by the sport and have to admit I do enjoy watching my Bowls hero Noel Burrows!

I met Mel in my capacity as Patron of the British Crown Green Bowling Association and was struck by his professionalism and drive to promote Crown Green Bowls. We struck up a friendship instantly and it was a pleasure to work alongside him during our happy times spent at the ‘Wembley of Bowls’ – The Waterloo. I am aware Mel was on the cusp of great things in developing Crown Green Bowls when he received the very sad diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease.

The Mel Evans MBE Foundation works relentlessly to both raise awareness and vitally needed research funding to support scientists to find more effective treatments and an eventual cure for this devastating illness. I always enjoy supporting as many events as I can and meeting up with old bowling pals. The Foundation is a small charity with colossal ambitions and I look forward to supporting this fantastic charity in 2024 and beyond.

I am honoured to be a patron of the Mel Evans MBE Foundation. Sadly, I never met Mel but I see clearly how his amazing legacy lives on through the incredible work this charity performs. Always finding new ways to raise money, awareness and bang the drum for MND. They will have my support always.

It is a real honour to write a testimonial for The Mel Evans Foundation.

Lynn first contacted me in 2022 when she sent a heartfelt letter along with funds raised for The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease. I met her at the Brighouse Sports Club in August 2023 for the Crown Green Bowls/Rugby Pro/AM Charity Challenge  and was touched by Lynn’s support, her focus and enthusiasm in supporting The Rob Burrow Centre at Leeds Hospitals NHS Trust. I am very grateful to The Mel Evans Foundation as they continue to fundraise for my vision for The Rob Burrow Centre by holding various fun events – The Masked Entertainer being my favourite as it brought so much joy and laughter to those attending. Whilst facing a deep personal tragedy, she has created The Mel Evans Foundation to support MND with a view to finding a cure and improve care, inspiring us all  with her courage and resilience.