THE first two recipients of a scholarship set up in memory of motor neurone disease campaigner Gordon Aikman have been named.

They are a specialist nurse at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, Alison Clarke, and a clinical specialist in MND at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Dianne Fraser.

Both will receive grants to research and develop practical improvements that can be made in the care patients with the degenerative condition receive. The scholarships are being funded with £25,000 each from the Scottish Government and the charity MND Scotland.

After being diagnosed with MND at the age of 29, Aikman, who died on February 2 last year, raised £550,000 for research into the disease. Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “Gordon valued the relationships he formed with all those involved in his care, including professionals.

“He was constantly striving to seek out treatments and approaches that would improve the quality of his own and other people’s lives, and the scholarships aim to build on that.”

Clarke said: “This scholarship is no doubt the biggest challenge of my 30-year nursing career, but I feel very privileged.

“This project means I can share evidence-based research across respiratory/ventilation services throughout Scotland with the aim to change our current practices.”

Fraser added: “Motor neurone disease can affect the ability to breathe and cough. I have been using a treatment technique called breath stacking with an adapted ambu bag, which costs only £32. Currently there are only a few patients being taught this technique in north Scotland. This scholarship will mean I can complete in-depth research with the ultimate aim of every appropriate patient in Scotland being offered this simple technique.”