Tragic death of 29-year-old prompts family to raise awareness for MND

Natalie Hilton, from Whitecross, was a normal 27-year-old woman – but in May 2018, she started slurring her speech.

Seven months later, in December, Natalie was diagnosed with bulbar palsy, a form of motor neurone disease (MND).

Natalie and her family were told that Natalie only had another year to live able-bodied, and between two and four years left to live.

By mid-2020, Natalie could no longer talk and her mobility had deteriorated – so she voluntarily decided to stop eating and drinking.

Natalie went into hospital with a suspected chest infection, but her family were informed that her health had deteriorated and that she would not be released from hospital.

“We were told to get anyone in who wanted to see her because she was going to pass away,” said Marie Hilton, Natalie’s mum.

“Everyone sat around her so she knew we were all there, and had a normal conversation and a laugh like she always wanted us to do no matter what.

“I was holding her hand and told her ‘why don’t you have a nap, I’m not going anywhere, I love you chicken’, so she closed her eyes and went to sleep and she never woke up.

“No mum should see her child take her last breath.”

Natalie passed away on June 16 2020 at only 29-years-old.

Natalie Hilton managed to complete most of her bucket list before she passed away (Image: Marie Hilton)

Now, her family and friends are attempting to raise awareness for motor neurone disease in Warrington and raise money for MND Association, a charity that supports people with the disease.

“People need to know this because it’s heard of by the famous people, but normal people suffer too,” said Marie.

“Normal people count, and she counts – and I don’t want her forgotten.”

One of Natalie’s sisters, Samantha, started walking 15,000 steps a day for the entirety of January in 2021 – which she now does every year to raise money for MND.

Natalie’s niece, who has been deeply affected by the loss of Natalie, has been taking part in Make it March, where she has to a new craft every day for the whole of March.

Last year, eight-year-old Shyla raised £485 through taking part in Make it March, but this year she has raised nearly £600.

Shyla raised nearly £600 while completing Make it March this year (Image: Marie Hilton)

“It’s raising money so that something can be done and that at the very least other people are not forgotten and left and can have support,” said Marie.

“Even if it’s as little as a wheelchair and a ramp so someone can get out into the garden, we want to be able to contribute at least a minute portion of that money so others can have the little things that mean a lot.”

Marie would now like to help raise awareness of MND in Warrington.

“There’s just so much I want to do for the area because no one should suffer this in silence,” she said.

“No one should feel so isolated they’re literally in four walls watching their child, partner or anyone die.”

Natalie’s friend, Dan Smith, will be running the Warrington Half Marathon in September in her memory and has a fundraising page which you can find here.

In total, Natalie’s friends and family have raised an estimated £1,500 for MND Association and are hoping to continue raising money in her memory.

Marie wants to also encourage people who have the disease or are caring for friends and family with it to talk to those around them.

“One thing that I suffered with was the isolation, and no one contacting me,” she said.

“Speak to people, and if you’re friends with someone who is suffering, don’t ignore them because you think you’ve got nothing to say because you don’t have to say anything.”

“Find people that will help you – the MND Association, the Lancashire branch, are fantastic and you can even contact me on Facebook.”

For more information on motor neuron disease, visit MND Association’s website.