British eco-inventor set to tackle Great North Run
for Motor Neurone Disease

Ed Douglas Miller, managing director of whacky eco-manufacturing company Remarkable, will be running whilst helping to push Motor Neurone Disease (MND) sufferer Chris O’Flaherty’s wheelchair around the Bupa Great North Run on 18th September 2011.

Chris O’Flaherty, now aged 33, was left heartbroken after both his mother and brother had previously died of motor neurone disease. Tragically, Chris is now battling with the incurable condition himself. However his experience has spurred him towards wanting to raise vital funds and awareness about the disease which has so far devastated his life. Now in a poignant labour of love he is poised to take part in the Great North Run 2011 in his wheelchair in order to do just that.

His older brother Richard was the first person within the family to be diagnosed with the disease, which involves the progressive wasting of muscles, and was only in his mid-20s when he died. Their mother Patricia also died from MND about three years ago under the age of 60 years old. Both relations had an aggressive form of the disease.

Chris has been told that he is suffering from a “slower” form and says that he takes each day as it comes. Enjoying a normal childhood with his family in Norfolk, he was in his 20s when he starting having problems with walking.

“I just dragged my feet and couldn’t lift them up for some reason; I never knew this would result in the devastation of my life and my family. I have had the disease for about eight years, so at the moment I am ‘outliving the text books’ which suggested a three to five year life expectancy”

Chris continued: “I take every day as it comes. It is a blessing when I wake up each morning,”

The Norwich and Waveney branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) has been very supportive throughout the family’s suffering, part funding Chris’s wheelchair and mobility vehicle.

UK-based Remarkable’s managing director and eco-inventor Ed Douglas Miller commented: “when I first met Chris I was thrown by his unimaginable tragedy, but I was humbled by his strength, courage and determination to stay positive in such desperate circumstances. I would be so grateful if members of the public could support me, as I run the half Marathon to raise money for Chris, so that he can realize his goal and give funds to MNDA for all the support they have given to him and his family.”

Please donate on www.justgiving.com/ed-douglas-miller or email edm@remarkable.co.uk

For further information on the Motor neurone Disease Association, please visit: www.mndassociation.org

ENDS

Issued by Montpellier Public Relations Ltd on behalf of Remarkable

For further information contact:
Jess Thomson at Montpellier PR on 01242 211188 or via email at jess@montpr.com

Note to editors:

Remarkable is a truly quirky and innovative UK eco-manufacturing company, founded in 1996 by Environmentalist and Inventor Ed Douglas Millar and driven by a passion and belief that the environment needs to be treated with care.

Remarkable continuously look at ways to use recycled and environmental materials by invention, innovation and design.  In the words of founder Ed Douglas Miller, “we make cool and funky everyday products, by using a sort of mix between Willy Wonka and alchemy.”

Remarkable have a pioneering spirit designed to raise awareness in an all too wasteful society. Their goal is to give a positive and accessible solution to people who want to do their bit to safe guard the environment.

Key Milestones

Remarkable founded in 1996 to manufacture recycled products from UK waste in the UK

In 1998, Ed Douglas Miller wins UK inventor of the year for iconic eco-product.

In 1999, Remarkable wins UK environmental company of the year & UK recycled product of the year

In 2000, a Remarkable product is announced as a “Millennium Product” by the Design Council’s Cool Britannia awards

From 2000 – 2001, Remarkable manufactured over 3.75 million recycled pencils from plastic cups in the Millennium Dome exhibition

2002 Remarkable launches retail range

In 2006 Remarkable moves to 30,000 sq ft factory in Worcester

Currently employing 30 staff, £2million turn over, recycling over 10 tonnes of UK materials every week.