A Twickenham teen is completing a five-day sponsored silence to raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Alice Lilley's Gran, Olive, was diagnosed with MND 13th May 2021, during Alice's A-level exams.

Olive had been losing her voice and doctors were struggling to diagnose the problem.

When her energy levels plummeted, they realised it was something more sinister.

Since the diagnosis Olive's ability to speak has worsened and she can no longer carry out a conversation in more than a whisper.

Alice will complete the fundraiser from 31st August – 4th September.

Whilst aware that she will never understand what the reality of living with MND is, Alice hopes to gain an insight into the struggle of sufferers.

As a self -confessed chatterbox Alice thinks she will find it challenging.

Olive has been using apps in order to communicate and Alice will replicate this during the five days.

Alice's Gran has always been a great communicator. She worked as a teacher and later became a deputy head teacher at Nelson Primary School in Whitton.

Alice told Nub News: "There's often a focus on the physical effect of MND but not much on the impact on your mental health through loss of communication.

"It can cause a lot of frustration.

"Most people are still competent, as it does not affect your brain, but you can't explain what you want to say."

Alice told us that Olive has struggled with her loss of independence as she used to be extremely active.

Olive loved nothing more than going to Aqua aerobics, meeting friends and walking her dog, who she has since had to give to Alice and her parents to look after.

At 77 years old, she was a healthy woman who did not drink and had never smoked.

Alice told us, "It came completely out of the blue, it shows that no one is safe."

The MND Association says that MND is an incurable disease where messages from the neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles.

This leads muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste.

MND can impact how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe but it affects people differently.

You can be diagnosed at any age, but it is more likely to affect people over 50.

It is a life shortening disease and although it will progress, symptoms can be managed to help achieve the best quality of life.

There is a 1 in 300 risk of being diagnosed.

You can donate to Alice's 5 Days of Silence here.