About Alan Davidson Foundation
The Alan Davidson Foundation is a UK registered charity that supports a wide range of causes. There is a strong focus on MND research, care and initiatives that help support those with disabling neurological conditions. It also supports architecture and architectural initiatives.
Who started the foundation?
The Foundation was founded by Alan Davidson. It benefitted greatly from his experience of MND and his passions for architecture, visual arts and technology. He was diagnosed with MND in 2012, and lost the battle to the disease in August 2018. Alan was the founder of London based architecture visualisation studio Hayes Davidson, one of the early pioneers of architectural computer graphics (CGI).
Why was the foundation started?
Alan was committed to helping people suffering from MND and associated neurological conditions, he wanted to help initiatives that improved their lives through better care and support, and funding research work to find a cure for MND. The Foundation carefully researches the organisations that it funds, with a preference for ‘open source’ research data where information is shared globally.
Who does the foundation support?
The Foundation supports a wide range of organisations, charities and worthy causes. Funding is allocated after careful research into the project to help understand the circumstances, charity or research being proposed. A meeting with the individual or organisation is then arranged to discuss in detail the area of work that requires funding. Find out more about the projects we have supported below.
What is MND?
MND, Motor Neurone Disease is a terminal condition that currently has no cure. It progressively damages the nervous system, leading to muscle wasting. As damage progresses, the condition becomes more debilitating. Communicating, swallowing and breathing become difficult and eventually a person with MND may be unable to move and become ‘locked in’. MND is often referred to as ‘ALS’ outside of the UK.
News and events
King’s College PhD extended by 1 year
Following the promising findings of Leon Crowley’s research in ‘Mitigating TDP-43 toxicity in vivo and in vitro’, the Foundation approved a 1 year extension to his PhD funding.
Renewed commitment to Project ACORN
The Foundation has renewed its commitment with the University of Oxford and Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences project “Making MND Preventable – ACORN” for a further 3 years.
The John Ruskin Prize and The Big Draw
The Alan Davidson Foundation proudly supported the Under 26 category of the John Ruskin Prize, with Alice Goehrs winning for “120m² of gesture in the vastness” and Hannah MacCaig receiving a ‘Highly Commended’ mention for “Redwood” at the successful exhibition launch on January 15, 2025.
The Davidson Prize 2025
The Alan Davidson Foundation is once again proud to support The Davidson Prize in its 5th year of this prestigious annual design competition.
Announcing the Davidson Nurses
As part of the Foundation’s funding commitment to MND Smart, a portion has been allocated to create new nursing positions in five key locations across the UK, establishing a dedicated ‘Davidson Nurse’ in each area.
Visit to MND Norfolk care team
Caite Healy, one of the four Trustees of The Alan Davidson Foundation, recently had the pleasure of visiting the Norfolk / East of England MND care team, where she had the opportunity to meet with the team.
