Hundreds of orthodontists take the plunge
In support of Joff Machell, their colleague Living with MND
A T-Rex, a pod of giant chillies, a flamingo and an extraordinary collection of fancy-dress characters descended on Brighton Beach as hundreds of members of the orthodontic community came together in support of their colleague, Joff Machell, who is living with motor neurone disease (MND).
Around 150 orthodontic colleagues took the plunge, while a similar number gathered on the beach to watch, cheer and lend their support. The event took place during the British Orthodontic Conference and brought together colleagues from across the UK in a remarkable demonstration of friendship and solidarity.
With the sun shining, the ocean sparkling and Brighton’s iconic West Pier in the background, the group entered the water in an extraordinary array of costumes before joining hands to form a huge circle in the shallows. The spectacle was deliberately joyful, but behind the fun lay a much more serious purpose: raising awareness of MND and the urgent need for research into effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
From swimming 11 miles to living with MND Joff, a retired specialist orthodontist from Exeter, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in October 2025. The progressive disease forced him to take early retirement from a profession he loved and is increasingly affecting his speech, mobility and physical strength.
Just three years ago, in 2023, Joff swam the 11-mile length of Lake Windermere for charity. Today, he struggles to walk. Rather than retreating following his diagnosis, Joff has channelled his energy into bringing people together, enjoying life and raising money and awareness for the MND Association. His series of ‘Chilly Dips’ has taken him to beautiful locations with family, friends and supporters, but Brighton was his biggest yet.
His personal fundraising total for the MND Association has now passed £82,000, with more events planned. Before entering the water, Joff addressed the crowd in an emotional speech and thanked the British Orthodontic Society for making the event possible. He also expressed his gratitude to the colleagues and friends who have supported him since his diagnosis.
“I am incredibly grateful to my orthodontic colleagues for your love, kindness and generosity. MND is not incurable, it is under-funded,” he said. “There is a powerful saying in the orthodontic community: ‘There will be no finish line, until there is a cure for MND!’”
Joff also spoke about the devastating effect MND can have not only on the person diagnosed, but on their family and friends. In a particularly poignant moment, he dedicated the Brighton dip to a close friend who was there on the beach and who had cared for her mother as she battled the same cruel, progressive disease.
T-Rex, giant chillies and a flamingo take to the sea
Fancy dress was very much encouraged – and the orthodontic profession responded in style. Among the characters spotted making their way across Brighton’s famous pebbles were a spectacular T-Rex, a pod of giant red chillies and an eclectic collection of other costumes.
Joff entered into the spirit himself, wearing his bright MND Association shirt, Hawaiian garland and his now-familiar pink flamingo. Around 150 participants headed into the shallows before joining hands to create an enormous circle in the sea, while a similar number of colleagues and supporters remained on the beach to watch and cheer them on.
A community rallying around one of its own
For Joff, one of the most moving aspects of the event was seeing the profession in which he had spent his career rally around him following his life-changing diagnosis. The British Orthodontic Conference provided an opportunity to bring together friends and colleagues from across the country for an event that was intentionally both serious and gloriously silly.
The costumes, laughter and spectacle helped attract attention to a disease that continues to have a profound impact on Joff’s life. His message remains firmly focused on the future: raising awareness, supporting the MND Association and campaigning for greater investment in research.
Fundraising passes £82,000
Joff’s personal fundraising for the MND Association has now passed £82,000. Further events are already planned as he continues his campaign to raise funds and awareness of MND and to highlight the importance of research into new treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
“There will be no finish line, until there is a cure for MND.”
WATCH / DOWNLOAD THE DRONE FOOTAGE
(Filmed and edited by @sam_miles_photography)
About motor neurone disease
Motor neurone disease is a progressive neurological condition affecting the nerves that control voluntary movement. It can progressively affect a person’s ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. There is currently no cure.