The race against MND in memory of Charlie Moody

The family of former motorsport legend Charlie Moody is teaming up with the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association as part of this year's awareness campaign 'A Month for Optimism' at the biggest British motorcycling event of the year, the British MotoGP round at Silverstone this weekend (15-17th June).

Charlie had an active life in the motor sport world before he lost his life to MND in 2011 at the age of just 55. He had been diagnosed only ten months before.

MND kills five people every day and half of those diagnosed die within 14 months. It can affect any adult at any age. There is no known cure. Charlie leaves behind his wife, Arlene and two sons, Wil and Nic.

Charlie's long career in motorsport spanned working with some of the biggest names in F1 with highlights that included strapping in Ayrton Senna at his inaugural test in 1983.

In 2001, he moved over to MotoGP to work for Team Roberts, Kenny Roberts Senior's team run by Roberts with Chuck Aksland. Charlie then progressed to the Paul Denning run Rizla Suzuki team in 2009 until 2011 when he was forced to resign due to the disease.

Charlie was a popular member of the paddocks and since his death his family have pulled together with various MotoGP stars to raise badly needed funds for the Oxford MND Care and Research Centre - where Charlie was treated - via the MND Association.

This June, the Moody family are teaming up with the MND Association and returning to Silverstone and the motor sporting world so close to Charlie's heart to raise awareness of MND.

Charlie's son Wil Moody said of his father: "Charlie was my Dad, my friend and my hero. He really did teach me everything in life, and especially how to laugh and have a good time, even when he was suffering intensely with MND. The way he dealt with this relentless disease was outstanding, and a true inspiration to not just me, but countless others around the planet, who cared for and loved him."

Wil went on to say: "He was taken far too soon by MND, and was very firm in stating how no-one should ever suffer with it. I miss him immensely, but the good memories and hope that a cure for this disease can be discovered, keep me and my family, going."

Phil Baker CEO of SA1 management, who was a close friend of Charlie, added: "Charlie was a true gentleman and dearly loved by everyone who worked with him in the various motorsport paddocks. I was with Charlie as he went through the awful illness and saw how devastating the disease can be. He fought with dignity and was very clear in asking me to help him fight this, so that others wouldn't have to suffer like he did."

To get involved in this year's awareness campaign go to www.mndassociation.org/optimism

To support the MND Association and the Moody family in working towards finding a cure for the disease please visit www.justgiving.com/Charlie-William-Moody