A STREET collection will be held in Tavistock on July 1 following Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Week. The collection will raise money for the Plymouth and District Motor Neurone Disease Association which provides care services, equipment and support as well as funding for much-needed research. Motor neurones are the nerve cells which control muscles ? their degeneration leads to weakness and wasting of muscles. Such wasting generally occurs in arms and legs initially and some groups of muscles supplying the face and throat with the consequent problems of thick speech and difficulty chewing and swallowing. MND does not affect touch, taste, smell and hearing and in a vast majority of cases the intellect will remain unaffected. It is a steadily progressive disease, generally affecting people over 50 but the rate of progression varies greatly from one person to another. Local members of the association which benefits people living with MND are hoping to gain lots of support in Tavistock.