Euan MacDonald

Euan MacDonald
MBE
Photo of Euan MacDonald.
MacDonald in 2016
Born
Euan James Stuart MacDonald

(1974-08-14)14 August 1974
Sheffield, England
Died21 August 2024(2024-08-21) (aged 50)
Edinburgh, Scotland
Alma materUniversity of St Andrews
Glenalmond College
Known forEuan's Guide
Euan MacDonald Centre
SpouseElizabeth O'Neill
Children2

Euan James Stuart MacDonald MBE (14 August 1974 – 21 August 2024) was a Scottish businessman. He studied at the University of St Andrews and the University of Edinburgh.[1] MacDonald was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in October 2003.[2]

Biography

MacDonald was born in Sheffield in 1974. He moved to Edinburgh with his parents and siblings at a young age and went to school at George Watson's College before moving to Glenalmond College in Perthshire. Following this he studied at St Andrews, where he met his wife, and Edinburgh University.

MacDonald established The Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research in 2007 in partnership with the University of Edinburgh.[3] With the Informatics Department at the University of Edinburgh, MacDonald also helped establish The Voicebank Study which enables people who are at risk of losing their voice through illness to preserve it.[4] He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours for services to people with motor neurone disease in Scotland.[5][6]

In 2013, MacDonald co-founded the disabled access review website, Euan's Guide.[7]

In November 2014, MacDonald was named as one of the most influential disabled people in the UK.[8] MacDonald lived in Edinburgh with his wife and his two children.[9]

MacDonald died on 21 August 2024, at the age of 50, after a long battle with motor neurone disease.[10]

Euan's Guide

Euan's Guide is the disabled access review website used by disabled people to review, share and discover accessible places to visit. The charity was founded in 2013 by Euan MacDonald, who was a powerchair user, and his sister Kiki. As Euan's access requirements changed, both went in search of recommendations for accessible places to go, but a platform for this kind of information didn't exist. Built as a friendly and honest alternative to hours of web searching and phone calls before visiting somewhere new, Euan's Guide now has thousands of disabled access reviews and listings for places all over the UK and beyond.

Awards and shortlists

  • Points of Light Award
  • The Power 100 List 2016
  • Commended in the Unsung Hero category at the Herald Society Awards 2015
  • The Power 100 List 2015
  • MBE for services to people with MND in Scotland[11]

References

  1. ^ "Interview with Euan". Euan's Guide. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  2. ^ Donnelly, Brian. "Hotel chain's founder gives cash for motor neuron centre". The Herald. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  3. ^ Swanson, Brian. "Businessman's plight to save his son". The Express. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Voicebank wants more from lads…". mndscotland.org.uk. MND Scotland. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  5. ^ "No. 59090". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 12 June 2009. p. 19.
  6. ^ "Queen's birthday honours list: MBEs". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  7. ^ Tracey, Emma. "Family support disabled man with accessibility guide". BBC. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Britain's most influential people with a disability or impairment". Shaw Trust. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  9. ^ "MND sufferer raises wheelchair consumer issues". Edinburgh News. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  10. ^ "Tributes to MND champion who created 'vital' Euan's Guide". BBC. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  11. ^ Birthday Honours 2009