Gordon: 12/11/1968 - 11/11/2024
Gordon's mission was launched by his loving partner Dot at his funeral and celebration of life on 2nd December 2024. A lasting and fitting legacy for a colourful character who faced many challenges...
Gordon originated from Scotland but his family moved to Manchester where he was born the youngest of his siblings. He sadly suffered from ill health all his life, but it wasn’t until he was 40 that it was identified as mitochondrial disease.
Gordon was diagnosed with a variant of mito called Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis, & Stroke-like episodes, known as MELAS. It gave him a whole array of symptoms to cope with including hearing loss, neurological issues, gastric problems, weakness and pain.
This was all attributed to the MELAS, with each one unfortunately leading to further health deterioration.
Gordon was so much more than his illness, however. Despite the difficulties he’d experienced throughout his life, he was incredibly thoughtful, compassionate and intelligent and collected an eclectic mix of lovely friends and interests. Gordon loved poetry, literature, music, physics, chemistry and so much more. When his ill health meant he could no longer go out to work, he became a skilled watchmaker. He loved to visit Europe and places of interest, our final trip being to war torn Ukraine in May of this year to beautiful Lviv to help their economy.
Unfortunately, a final heart attack in November 2024 took Gordon the day before his 56th birthday. His physical and mental health was blooming over the last 3 years, so it was an incredible shock.
I implore anyone with mito to never delay personal plans, excursions or celebrations because the illness is cruel and steals time, plans and futures.
…by the illness and to create a lasting and meaningful legacy for a special person who faced too many challenges.
…to help everyone still living with mitochondrial disease. He was always so caring and compassionate towards others.
Any funds raised by Gordon’s mission goes to My Mito Mission’s
central funds to be granted towards research and support projects
to benefit everyone affected by mito.
Spreading the word, following, sharing, as well as donating and raising funds are all really helpful and valued. From running a race to holding a bake sale, hosting a collecting can to giving out Gordon’s Mito Mission leaflets – there are so many ways in which you can get involved.
If you’d simply like to donate to Gordon’s mission, choose a way that suits you below.
Regular donations are the most powerful way to support our vital work, allowing us as a small, high-energy charity to plan and build from a strong foundation.
We need a 1000 strong team of amazing people to donate any amount from just £2 a month. 1000 is a lot, but – one by one – we know that we can reach it. Find out more here.
For any other amount or frequency (eg weekly, quarterly, annual), simply contact us
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