Guest Voice: Finding purpose in fundraising for ALS

Anita Newton is a retired science teacher who lives near Bristol, England. She taught chemistry for 30 years before retiring when her husband, Craig, was diagnosed with ALS. Her interests range from sports like pickleball, badminton, and table tennis to reading, writing, painting, and crafting. She also enjoys traveling and is currently learning Norwegian.

How do you make something positive out of losing a loved one? There is no simple answer. It might involve simply surviving while trying to build a new life without your loved one’s physical presence. Or, perhaps it means trying to make your life meaningful by doing something to help others. One can try to alleviate the suffering by making a difference in their memory.

Anita Newton proudly sports an MNDA T-shirt at a craft fair where she sold Christmas decorations to raise money for the organization in November 2024. (Courtesy of Anita Newton)

After my husband, Craig, passed away in 2022 due to ALS (which in the U.K. is commonly called motor neurone disease, or MND), my stepdaughter, Georgia, and I decided we wanted to do something, however small, to help others. In doing so, we helped ourselves by forging a stronger relationship with a common goal. We had a shared focus and purpose.

The idea was prompted by a Christmas craft fair Georgia and I attended. As we browsed the various vendor stands, it occurred to us that we could make similar items to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

We were so fired up after the outing that we immediately started planning and throwing ideas around. We couldn’t wait to get started. We decided to make Christmas decorations because we both liked them and thought they’d sell well.

We faltered a bit at the beginning because we tried making things that weren’t very good. But slowly, with practice, we got better and started making items we hoped others would buy. When friends found out what we were doing, they offered to make things for us, too.

We participated in two Christmas markets selling our art and decorations. We wore MNDA T-shirts and had banners, literature, and a picture of Craig, so that it was clear what we were raising money for. We also had a collection box for donations.

At the two events, we raised £850 ($1,100) in sales and donations and received a lot of positive feedback. We were also able to talk to people about ALS. We’re currently preparing for our next craft fairs this November and December.

Anita Newton says writing helps her cope with the loss of her husband, Craig. Her book, “The Under Tree Folk,” raises money for ALS research and support programs. (Courtesy of Anita Newton)

The next fundraiser we did was selling a book I wrote called “The Under Tree Folk.” It came about because when Craig died after two years of illness, I struggled to find a purpose. I missed his presence in many ways but especially when I was upset. He used to tell me stories at night when I couldn’t sleep. Without him there, I was forced to tell myself stories.

As I lay awake one night after a visit with my brother and sister-in-law to an old tree, I started making up stories about people who lived under the roots of an oak tree in the middle of the forest. The stories developed from there and “The Under Tree Folk” was born.

Writing is like therapy for me. It’s all-consuming and helps me manage my grief. The fantasy world I created allows me to be somewhere else where life is simple, uncomplicated, and untouched by Craig’s death.

I’ve always written when I’m sad as a way to express my emotions and put them into perspective. Once I’ve written about them, they are out in the open and dealt with, and I can move on.

This book is the first in a series. My hope is that it will bring enjoyment to others and raise a lot of money for the MNDA. At the same time, I hope it will keep ALS in the spotlight so that more people will participate in fundraising events.

Georgia and I will continue to do our part. If you’re thinking about fundraising for a good cause, any effort helps, whether it’s large or small.

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