A 33-year-old man who has just a few years to live due to a diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND), has volunteered to front a new campaign aimed at raising awareness of the incurable condition.

Andrew Brennan (pictured) is one of more than 350 people living in Ireland with MND, a neurological condition in which there is progressive degeneration of the motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurones are the nerve cells that control muscles, and their degeneration therefore leads to weakness and wasting of the muscles.

This causes an increasing loss of mobility in the limbs and difficulties with speech, swallowing and breathing.

In order to raise awareness of the disease, the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) has launched a campaign and is encouraging people to get involved with its big annual fundraiser - ‘Drink Tea for MND' - on June 21.

On that day, people across the country will be drinking tea in solidarity with those affected by MND, and in memory of those who have died from the disease.

Mr Brennan said that when he was told his life expectancy was just three to five years, he felt like he had been hit with a sledgehammer.

"My youngest daughter was just five months old. My eldest was 19 months old. I am unlikely to see them become teenagers," he explained.

Mr Brennan and his wife, Yvonne, recently renovated an old derelict school house into their family home and he was there every day helping the builders. Now, the builders are back to build an extension for the day when Mr Brennan can no longer go upstairs in his own house.

"I'd love to go out and help the lads lift and lay the bricks, but I can't even chop a vegetable. Now I just hold my cup of tea and watch them, but soon even that will be too hard," he acknowledged.

The IMNDA provides specialised services to people affected by MND, including financial assistance towards home help, equipment on loan and home visits by MND nurses.

The charity is heavily dependent on the generosity of its supporters and the public, who generate almost 90% of its income. If you would like to organise a Drink Tea for MND event, email fundraising@imnda.ie for more information.

Alternatively, to donate €2, text MND to 50300.

For more information on the IMNDA, click here