Walkers raise funds and hope for charity
Hike aids Huntington’s support group
A support group for people with an incurable neurological condition put their best foot forward and raised £1,500 for charity.
The Renfrewshire Huntington’s Disease Support Group held their annual sponsored Walk of Hope in Erskine to raise money for the Paisley- based Scottish Huntington’s Association, the only charity in the country supporting families with Huntington’s Disease.
The 16-strong group ranged in age from two to over 70, all walking to raise money to fund the SHA’s team of specialists, its youth support group and a financial wellbeing service.
The group’s leader, Margaret Moncrieff, said: “HD is a genetic condition.
“My sister was diagnosed with the condition 12 years ago and my mother, who must have had the condition, did not live long enough for the physical symptoms to develop.
“My brother died at the age of 64, again before the physical symptoms showed.
“But he suffered for many years from paranoid schizophrenia which is a common experience for HD sufferers.
“I have been immensely fortunate in that I do not have the condition, so I try and do all I can to help the SHA, who do such brilliant work to support those of us affected by HD.”
Huntington’s Disease is a complex neurological condition with symptoms first showing between the ages of 30 and 50.
It causes three main groups of symptoms – a type of early onset dementia; loss of muscle control; and involuntary movements which lead to loss of speech and swallow along with mental illness.
Those impacted by HD may eventually lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink, make decisions or care for themselves, requiring 24 hour care. There is no cure.
It is also hereditary with each child of those diagnosed at 50 per cent risk developing the disease.
It is estimated there are around 1,100 people living with HD in Scotland and between 4000-6000 potentially at risk.
Margaret added: “The group wishes to express its thanks to Accord Hospice for providing accommodation for meetings.
“We also wish to thank all who supported our fundraising, including the members of Houston and Killellan Kirk and the staff and partners of Walker Laird Solicitors.
“The funds raised will help the SHA to continue to provide a comprehensive support and advisory service to HD families.”
To find out more about the Scottish Huntington’s Association, go to hdscotland.org