A family is throwing a Halloween party for a charity which helps improve the lives of people affected by a disease which killed their mother.
Amanda Kyriacou died aged 47 on August 18, after living with Motor Neurone Disease for four years, a rare condition where parts of the nervous system become damaged, causing progressive weakness usually with muscle wasting.
Husband Spiros Kyriacou, 46, of Perivale, said: “It all started when Amanda was having trouble using her hands and kept dropping stuff, so we went and saw a neuro-specialist.
“Things started to deteriorate. She lost her speech, her ability to walk, could not move her arms, could not speak or swallow.
“I cut down to three days a week at work so I could care for Amanda.
“She never moaned but she was apologetic. She was vibrant, she used to love to dance and sing, even though she could not sing a note.
“She was full of life, loved get-togethers and parties, and all that had to stop.”
Mr Kyriacou, who works for John Lewis- one of the sponsors of the Halloween party, said he and his wife were supposed to be having a big celebration for their 25th wedding anniversary on October 21, their daughter Amy’s 21st birthday on October 9 and daughter Zoe’s 18th on September 1, but Amanda never made it.
He added: “5,000 people have Motor Neurone Disease at one time in this country. It can happen to anybody, it does not matter how healthy you are, there’s no reason why people get Motor Neurone Disease and there’s no cure.
“If Amanda wanted to go out the kids would do her hair and make up. It was only the last two weeks she spent in bed.
“The house has never been emptier, the girls miss her terribly. Their mum was more like a mate and a sister - they would tell her everything, even when Amanda lost her ability to talk they would still talk to her.”
Mr Kyriacou said the fundraising party has mainly been organised by Paul Karaiskos, the best man at his wedding, and his daughter Amy.
The over 18s fancy dress event takes place at The Myllet Arms in Western Avenue, Greenford, on October 31 from 9pm to 1am, with DJs playing four decades of ‘old skool’.
Tickets are £10 with a £10 donation for no fancy dress. Money raised will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association. For information call 07947432889.
