An organisation which supports individuals and families who are living with Huntington’s disease has received £500 through a Scotland-wide community funding programme.
Scottish Huntington’s Association, which is based at Linwood Point in Paisley, is one of the recipients of this year’s Ross and Liddell community bursary.
From its nine bases across Scotland, the association – which is celebrating its 30th year – works directly with families whose lives have been affected by the Huntington’s disease, and who are seeking help and support across a range of areas.
The Ross and Liddell community bursary funding will be used to update and improve advice leaflets, information booklets and other materials which raise awareness of services available.
Fundraising manager Dougie Peddie said: “Figures suggest that there are around 1100 people in Scotland with Huntington’s disease at the moment, with a further 6000 at risk.
“Only 24 per cent of people who are at risk of the condition choose to take a genetic test to find out if they have it, and once diagnosed, the life expectancy can be as little as 10 years.
“It’s a condition that can make people feel very isolated, which leads to issues in relationships with family and friends.
“Our aim is to provide as much support as possible across a whole range of services, to alleviate social isolation, and to provide a network of people who can share experiences of the condition.
“Our printed materials are very important: many of our service users don’t have access to the internet, so it’s vital for them to be able to read about what’s available to them in printed form.
“We would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Ross and Liddell for its support – it is greatly appreciated.”
Huntington’s disease is a hereditary condition which affects cognitive and motor skills. Symptoms include involuntary movements, problems with concentration, and depression.
Referrals to the association come through genetics and neurology departments and GPs, and Huntington’s disease specialists work closely with nurses, social workers, and occupational therapists to provide the correct level of support.
Young people can access a specialist youth service, and advice on financial wellbeing is also available.
Ross and Liddell specialises in property management and maintenance, as well as providing a comprehensive range of residential and commercial services including sales, lettings, surveying and insurance.
Now in its eighth year, the community bursary scheme was launched to provide support to organisations all over Scotland that make a vital difference in their community.
Scottish Huntington’s Association is just one of 29 groups to receive funding in this bursary year.
Irene Devenny, managing director of Ross and Liddell, said: “We are very proud to have provided funding to almost 30 groups in communities all over Scotland in this year’s bursary scheme.
“Scottish Huntington’s Association carries out fantastic work all over Scotland, and is a fantastic source of support to families living with Huntington’s.
“We are thrilled to offer our support and know that the funding will be put to good use.”
For more information visit https://hdscotland.org.