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Stephen William Hawking (8 January 1942 – 14 March 2018) was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author, who was director of research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge at the time of his death. He was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge between 1979 and 2009. His scientific works included a collaboration with Roger Penrose on gravitational singularity theorems in the framework of general relativity and the theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, often called Hawking radiation. Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology explained by a union of the general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. He was a vigorous supporter of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.Hawking achieved commercial success with several works of popular science in which he discusses his own theories and cosmology in general. His book A Brief History of Time appeared on the British Sunday Times best-seller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks. Hawking was a fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), a lifetime member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. In 2002, Hawking was ranked number 25 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. Hawking had a rare early-onset slow-progressing form of motor neurone disease (also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis "ALS" or Lou Gehrig's disease) that gradually paralysed him over the decades. Even after the loss of his speech, he was still able to communicate through a speech-generating device, initially through use of a hand-held switch, and eventually by using a single cheek muscle. He died on 14 March 2018 at the age of 76.

The Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Association) is a British charity, operating in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, established in 1979 by a group of volunteers to coordinate care, support, and research for people affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is a form of motor neurone disease (MND) (also known as Charcot disease, ALS or, in the United States, Lou Gehrig's disease). The Association's chief executive is Sally Light and its president is neuroscientist Sir Colin Blakemore. The Royal Patron of the association is HRH The Princess Royal. The patrons of the Association are former English cricketer and current ICC official Chris Broad; entrepreneur and philanthropist Joel Cadbury, actor Benedict Cumberbatch CBE; palliative medicine consultant and parliamentarian Baroness Finlay of Llandaff; neuroscientist, broadcaster, author and parliamentarian Baroness Greenfield CBE; TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins; entrepreneur and philanthropist Jamie Niven; former land-speed record holder and entrepreneur Richard Noble; OBE actor Eddie Redmayne and OBE and TV/radio presenter Jeremy Vine. The Association had previously been supported by the neurologist and four-minute-mile record breaker Sir Roger Bannister and cosmologist and theoretical physicist Professor Stephen Hawking CH CBE (who had lived with MND for many years) until their deaths in March 2018. The ambassadors of the MND Association are actor Joss Ackland OBE; actress Gina Bellman; actor Taron Egerton; comedian and TV presenter Olivia Lee and TV presenter Natalie Pinkham. The association is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that funds and promotes global research into the disease and provides support for people affected by Motor Neurone Disease. It is a membership organisation with over 9,000 members forming a national and local network that provides information and support alongside fighting for improved services. It has over 7,000 active volunteers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and around 170 paid staff, whose specialist skills and knowledge are dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by MND. Further information can be found on their website as well as further key facts and information