Daughter organises community festival after father’s MND diagnosis
The Brixworth event hopes to raise awareness and funds for motor neurone disease
Last updated 15th Apr 2026
A village in Northamptonshire is preparing to host a summer festival to raise awareness of motor neurone disease (MND), inspired by one family’s experience of caring for a loved one with the condition.
MND Party in the Park will take place at Ashway Playing Fields in Brixworth on 20 June, bringing together live music, food stalls and family activities.
The event has been organised by Kerry Ferrier, whose father, Patrick Davitt, from West Hunsbury in Northamptonshire, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2024 after first noticing weakness in his hands.
“He was struggling to hold a pen, use cutlery or do up buttons,” Kerry said. “After several doctor’s appointments, he decided to see a private consultant, who noticed muscle deterioration between his thumb and finger – that was the first real sign.”
Following further tests, Patrick received confirmation of the diagnosis. Since then, the disease has progressed, leaving him unable to use his hands or arms and requiring support to hold his head upright.
The Motor Neurone Disease Association says up to 5,000 adults in the UK are living with MND at any one time. The lifetime risk of developing the condition is around one in 300, with older adults more likely to be affected.
Patrick had previously led a highly active life – running marathons, practising martial arts and playing national‑league volleyball in his youth – before being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2024.
“He now needs a neck brace just to be able to look up,” Kerry explained. “Without it, he’s looking at the floor the whole time. They’re not particularly comfortable either, and he’s tried quite a few different ones.”
MND is a progressive neurological condition that affects the brain and nerves, causing muscles to weaken over time. There is currently no cure.
Patrick can still eat but requires careful positioning in a chair to do so, and everyday tasks now require adaptations around the house. Kerry’s stepmother, Karen, has added ribbons to drawers and cupboards so Patrick can hook them with a finger and retain a small degree of independence.
“He can’t put his arms around you for a hug anymore,” Kerry said. “It’s those small things that really hit home.”
Both Patrick and Karen had recently retired when the diagnosis was made.
“Rather than enjoying the retirement they’d been looking forward to, Karen had to retire early herself to care for my dad full-time,” Kerry said. “It’s been a huge adjustment for them both.”
Drawing on her experience of organising events through her work, Kerry decided to create a community festival during the summer solstice weekend, which also coincides with National MND Awareness Weekend.
“Brixworth hasn’t had an event like this for a long time,” she said. “Once I put the word out, the response was overwhelming.”
“For me, this isn’t just about fundraising,” Kerry said. “It’s about helping people understand what MND actually does to someone’s life.”
Kerry said entry to the festival will be free, with opportunities for visitors to make donations or take part in fundraising activities on the day.
For support and to find out more about MND visit: www.mndassociation.org