Hospice support was vital when dad fell ill

A TYNESIDE dad died just months after first seeing the signs of motor neurone disease.

- By SAM VOLPE Health reporter [e-mail]

Michael with his children Grace, Ruth and Harry

Now his wife has spoken out about the horrific condition, but also about the vital hospice care that became so important in his final weeks.

Michael Long, 62, who worked in property before selling the Lancing Housing firm and retiring, first began to notice his signs of illness in late 2024. And while he wasn’t formally diagnosed until March 2025, he knew his condition was progressing rapidly, wife Vicky said.

The family had sold their South Shields home and were living in Bamburgh when he was diagnosed, and his illness put paid to plans to move back to South Shields.

A lifelong Sunderland fan and music aficionado, Vicky explained that Michael found losing his speech particularly tough but wanted to highlight the invaluable support they had all had from HospiceCare North Northumberland (HCNN).

Vicky said: “After retirement, as I say in the video, his three things were golf, beer, curry. That was his mantra. He was a great cook and loved curries. He loved music and had a huge vinyl collection. He loved all sorts, but bands like Yes.