Former police officer with Motor Neurone Disease 'holding on for hope' for cure in her lifetime

Janine with her husband John and son Ethan
-Credit:Janine Turnbull


A Whitley Bay mum and former police officer says she is "holding on for hope" that a cure for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) comes in her lifetime.

Janine Turnbull was diagnosed with MND in October last year, aged 44. She had noticed her body's gradual decline since May 2023, when her knee "failed" on a hike whilst climbing over a stile.

Janine's diagnosis came after repeated visits to her GP and neurologists over several months. The mum-of-one, who was a police officer for 22 years, had noticed her upper body strength becoming weaker; her arms collapsing when doing press-ups; having stiff legs after taking part in karate classes; and finding it difficult to turn the ignition key in her car.

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Soon after her diagnosis, Janine walked with a stick but she now uses a wheelchair and has come to rely on complete support from husband and now full-time carer John, 60. Janine says that the diagnosis has been hardest on her small and close-knit family, yet the couple and their son Ethan, 11, are remaining positive.

Janine told ChronicleLive: "It's hard, I have to push the thoughts away of what's happening and I try to be positive. I wake up each morning and look forward to getting up, and I have a little routine where John makes me coffee and settles me down somewhere that I can stand up and I look out the window and think positive thoughts.

"Obviously I've got Ethan, and I've got to focus on him. And I have an awful lot of support, so many people have rallied round.

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"But it's been very, very hard thinking about what's going to happen in the future and I do have days where I just break down and cry."

Janine with her husband John, son Ethan and dog Sony
Janine with her husband John, son Ethan and dog Sony -Credit:Janine Turnbull

As a result of her previous work in Northumbria Police's Community Cohesion Unit and co-ordinating mutual aid groups throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, which she continues to do from her smartphone, several people have offered their support. A series of fundraising efforts have been organised to go towards the SiTran Motor Neurone Disease research centre, who hope to find a cure for the disease.

One of the events is the Wellfield Wander, taking place on Saturday, January 25, followed by the Tynemouth Trot on January 26. Janine will be at the two events in her wheelchair, both of which are on accessible routes and aim to be inclusive of all ages and abilities.

Janine continued: "We've got a lovely little community here in South Wellfield. We're doing a little walk, a lot of us have dogs. We're going to walk around the estate and onto the Red Lion pub on the Saturday.

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"The next day, we've got Tynemouth and people can do as much or as little as they want - some are just coming to see us off at Spanish City in Whitley Bay. It's to incorporate exercise and I've always loved going for walks and things so it's all of those things really."

Janine out walking with friends
Janine out walking with friends -Credit:Janine Turnbull

As well as the Wellfield Wander and Tynemouth Trot, Janine's sister, Nicole Brown, is fundraising for SiTran through taking part in the Virtual Spine Race throughout the month of January. She's aiming to run 160 miles during the month, with a target of £2,000.

Nicole, who lives in Sheffield, has travelled to the North East regularly since her little sister's diagnosis. She said: "When somebody is diagnosed with cancer, it's awful and you feel sick and you feel ill, but there's a treatment plan to give you something to focus on. But MND is such a horrendous diagnosis and there's nothing you can do to control it.

"When she was diagnosed, I thought I've got to do something to focus on a positive otherwise I just don't know how I'm going to get through the next few months. It keeps me positive, and it keeps Janine positive and because she has had an impact on so many people, we've raised a lot of money."

Janine and her sister Nicole
Janine and her sister Nicole -Credit:Janine Turnbull

Dominic McDonough, of the MND Association, said: "We are so grateful for the incredible hard work that Janine and Nicole are doing to raise money and awareness for us.

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"It really does mean the world to us and brings us ever closer to finding a cure to this terrible disease. I always say that every day we are a day closer to a cure and thanks to Janine and Nicole, that day is even closer."

For more information or to donate to the fundraiser for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, visit the JustGiving page.