The Renfrewshire HD Support Group have completed their annual sponsored ‘Walk of Hope’ in Erskine to raise funds for Scottish Huntington’s Association (SHA), the only charity in the country supporting families impacted by the degenerative neurological condition, Huntington’s disease (HD).
The 16 strong group ranged in age from two to over 70 all walking to raised £1,500 to fund the SHA’s team of HD specialists, its world, leading youth support group and a financial wellbeing service.
HD is a complex neurological condition with symptoms that typically begin to develop between the ages of 30 and 50. It causes three main groups of symptoms: changes to thinking processes – 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. It is also hereditary with each child of those diagnosed at 50% risk developing the disease. There is no cure.
It is estimated there are around 1,100 people living with HD in Scotland and between 4,000-6,000 potentially at risk.
The group’s leader, Margaret Moncrieff, said: “My sister was diagnosed with the condition 12 years ago. HD is a genetic condition. 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 (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 do help the SHA who do such brilliant work to support those of us affected by HD.”
She continued: “The Group wishes to express its thanks to Accord 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.”
If you would like to find out more information about the Scottish Huntington’s Association visit their website at: www.hdscotland.org.