A Warrington family’s heartbreak has been transformed into a mission of love, strength, and relentless determination to set up a Motor Neurone Disease support group in the town.
Natalie Hilton was more than just a daughter, sister, and auntie, she was a fiercely independent young woman with a vibrant spirit, a full-time job, and a home she shared with her three beloved cats. She had fought her own battles with mental health from a young age, overcoming bipolar disorder and building a life she could be proud of. But in 2018, another, far more devastating fight began—one no one saw coming.
Natalie’s first signs were subtle. Slight slurring of speech was brushed off as a reaction to a tongue piercing. Life carried on, filled with family weekends, work, and doting over her nieces, Shyla and the baby born in 2020 whom she never got to hold without the support of pillows and blankets. But by late October, Natalie knew something was wrong. “Mum, I’ll have to go on the sick,” she said through tears. “Customers think I’m drunk. I’m just so tired.” On December 3rd, 2018, she visited her doctor. The hospital suspected a stroke. She returned for tests and, on December 13th, alongside her parents, received the news that would change their lives forever.
Fast Progressive Bulbar Palsy Motor Neurone Disease. A rare, aggressive form of MND. Two to three years left to live, the doctor said. Not long enough to reach 40. Not long enough to do all the things she had dreamed of.
For her family, the diagnosis was like a bomb going off in slow motion. But there was no time to collapse. There were bucket lists to plan, memories to be made, and a daughter to fight for. Aided by friends and supporters like Hook and Jab Amanda and Derek Groarke, who raised nearly £5,000 through a boxing fundraiser, Natalie packed more life into those final months than most do in decades. She skydived with her dad from 11,000 feet, holidayed abroad, and soaked up every moment with her loved ones.
But the disease moved fast.
By early 2019, Natalie’s speech was gone. By mid-year, her arms were weakening. By the autumn, she could no longer eat properly and required a feeding tube. Her mother gave up her business to become her full-time carer, and her father moved in to care through the nights. Every day was filled with medical routines, suction machines, fresh sheets, soft foods, and endless devotion. Her mother remembers it all—her efforts to help Natalie feel clean, safe, and dignified. Every moment was sacred.
By March 2020, Natalie could no longer walk. When her second niece was born, she couldn’t hold her—but the family made sure a photo could be taken, surrounding her with pillows so she could cradle the baby for one unforgettable picture. Even when she could no longer speak, she communicated with her eyes using an eye-gaze device—one of the last things she typed was a request to watch Snow White, her favourite film. Her mother sat beside her, holding her hand, knowing in her heart it would be the last time.
On June 16th, 2020, Natalie passed away. Her mother Marie, held her hand until the very end, whispering love and comfort as her daughter slipped away. “She looked at me and closed her eyes,” she recalls. “She never opened them again.”
Natalie died at just 29 years old. Her parents say part of them died that day too. But from that unimaginable pain, a promise was born—Natalie would never be forgotten.
Now, her parents are turning grief into action. They are campaigning to create an MND support group in Warrington in Natalie’s name, to ensure no other family feels as lost, unsupported, and abandoned as they did. They are fighting for the help that never came for them—help that should be there for every MND patient and their loved ones.
The family has already begun fundraising. Natalie’s niece Shyla takes part in Make It March each year. Her sister Samantha completes physical challenges to raise money and awareness. And next April, her father and family friend Nathan Savage will walk from Warrington Wolves to Leeds Rhinos and back—a symbolic journey in honour of Natalie and others affected by MND. The family is trying to connect with Rob Burrow’s father to join in solidarity and support. Their aim: to raise vital funds for the MNDA South Lancashire Branch, and to get the backing needed to turn this dream into a lasting legacy.
They need help—publicity, donations, support from local organisations, and coverage from the media. More than anything, they want the world to know who Natalie Hilton was: a vibrant, brave, deeply loved woman who fought every step of the way. Her story is not just a tragedy—it is a call to action.
“We didn’t fail our daughter then,” her mother says. “And we’re not going to fail her now.”
Mayor of Warrington Cllr. Mo Hussain is backing the appeal saying:”Marie’s story is both deeply moving and inspiring. The strength and dedication she and her family have shown, both in caring for their daughter and in continuing to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease, is truly admirable. I fully support their efforts to establish a local support group for those affected by MND — something that is long overdue in Warrington. As a community, we must do more to stand with families facing this devastating illness. I urge local organisations and residents to get behind this important cause.”
Natalie’s light hasn’t gone out. It burns on in the hearts of her family, in the laughter of her nieces, and—soon—in the support group that will bear her name. With every step, every challenge, and every pound raised, the Hilton family honours her memory and ensures no one in Warrington faces MND alone again.
If you would like to support the Hilton family’s efforts or help fund the MND Support Group in Natalie’s name, donations can be made via https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/marie-hilton-4
Mum Marie concluded: “Together, we can make sure Natalie’s voice is never silenced, and no family ever walks this path without support.”
