AN ardent campaigner and fundraiser is calling for the right to decide his own fate when his long battle against a debilitating illness draws to an end.

Mike Findley MBE was struck down with Motor Neurone Disease in 2005 but he never let it get in the way of raising thousands of pounds for charity while maintaining his role as an active member of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

In the last 12 years, he has raised more almost £200,00 to help combat the degenerative illness.

Now the 72-year-old is calling for the right for people to die with dignity after a fellow sufferer, Noel Conway, lost his high court fight to enable doctors to help him to end his own life.

The 67-year-old, from Shrewsbury, called for the change in the law as he fears being entombed in his body as the cruel disease will rob him of the ability to move.

A fate that Mr Findley, of Marske, east Cleveland, says he will also find intolerable as he writes to the MND Association calling on the charity to outline its position of the right-to-die debate.

The former Post Office worker and union official believes it is very easy for people vote against legislation for assisted dying when they are fit and well and are able to enjoy being totally independent.

He said: "Like Noel I have MND and I’ve been living with it for 12 years, I’m unable to use my arms and hands properly and I have muscle wastage around my neck, I’m unable to wash, dress or feed myself I’m only able to get out and about when someone is available to operate my electric wheelchair from the rear.

"However, I’m still able to represent the local community as a local councillor, also I’m involved in fundraising for my MND Fund.

"But there is a possibility with MND that one day I may be paralysed from the neck down and unable to speak or eat, if and when I get to that point, I won’t want to carry on so I don’t think it’s a lot to ask for me to be in my own bed, looking out on our garden with my family around me and a doctor legally able to assist me to die."

In June 2010 the campaigner, with wife Judith and daughter Rachel at his side, was presented with his MBE by the Queen in Buckingham Palace in recognition of his hard work and dedication to fighting MND.