DIY SOS star dies after 10 year battle with MND

Virgin Radio

16 Aug 2023, 10:06

A true hero, DIY SOS star Jason Liversidge passes away at the age of 47, following a valiant 10-year struggle with motor neurone disease (MND).

News of his death was posted on Facebook earlier this month by his wife Liz, who wrote: "Jason Liversidge died peacefully at home surrounded by his girls at 22.59 on the 5th August 2023. Thank you for being the best husband and father that we could ask for."

In her moving post, she also wrote: "You will be forever young and remain alive always in our hearts and minds. We love you! Fly free my love."

Jason, a loving father of two, won hearts across the nation when he graced the BBC show's DIY SOS: The Big Build back in 2015.

His home was lovingly transformed into an accessible haven by the skilled hands of Nick Knowles and his devoted team.

Liversidge's unwavering spirit was nothing short of remarkable.

Diagnosed with MND in 2013, he was determined to defy its grip on his life.

His feats of bravery included scaling Mount Snowdon in a wheelchair and abseiling off the iconic Humber Bridge in Hull, proving that his courage knows no bounds.

In an extraordinary display of determination, Liversidge shattered records even as his body faced adversity.

In 2020, with 95% paralysis, he achieved a blazing 65mph in a motorised wheelchair, securing his place in the Guinness World Records.

Jason wrote: "I've always had a passion for speed. I can no longer drive a car or ride a motorbike; however, I can drive an electric wheelchair."

His wife, Liz, shared their immobility challenges they overcame together: "It was really nerve-wracking watching him trying to break this world record, but mainly because I was watching him wondering if it was fast enough.

"It was also a really cold day, and because he’s immobile he gets very, very cold quite quickly so we weren’t sure he was even going to be able to do it."

A moment of triumph arrived in 2017 when Jason, who struggled with speech due to MND, received a personalised synthesiser courtesy of the Anne Rowling Clinic in Edinburgh.

This innovative device, uniquely fitted with a Yorkshire accent, marked a significant milestone in voice preservation technology.

Liversidge previously told the BBC: "It’s going to make the world of difference, as I know it’s me and therefore it’s a daily reminder of what I sounded like."

According to the NHS, MND is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves that causes weakness that gets worse over time.

There is currently no cure for MND and the disease is fatal, however, it progresses at different speeds in patients.

People with MND are expected to live two to five years after the symptoms first manifest, although 10 per cent of sufferers live at least 10 years. 

Jason and Liz had both expressed their hope that science will find a cure for the condition.