In 2013 my mum, Caroline died from Multiple System Atrophy, a rare illness which is challenging to diagnose. By the time it is obvious in the patient, the disease is usually approaching it's later stages. The life expectancy of someone with MSA is 8 years.

For over 7 years, mum lived with the uncertainty, worry and discomfort of an unknown disease progressing through her body, taking ineffectual drugs, in the hope that things might improve. Mum's determination to beat this illness endured until the end, even when she knew the prognosis. Anyone that knew mum personally, know that she was active, independent and constantly doing things (often for others); this cruel disease robbed her of all of these qualities, me of my mum, my dad of his wife of 37 years, my grandparents of their daughter and my uncle of his sister. Despite the challenges however, mum remained positive and her infectious giggle kept us all going until her final days. Mum has left a void in our lives that can never be filled but, unfortunately, my story is not unique.

In April 2017 I am going to run the London marathon, since mum died I have wanted to do something in her memory and to raise money for the MSA trust to ensure continued help for those people going through what we did. Now is the time, to tie up my laces and do this for my mum. This will be a massive personal challenge for me. I will be putting myself through the pain of running 26.2 miles…..nothing compared to the marathon mum ran and there was certainly no medal at the end of hers.

The money we raise for the MSA trust will go towards funding future and current research projects into MSA, in the hope of one day finding a cure. It will also support the MSA Nurse Specialists who have the expertise to improve the quality of life of sufferers when symptoms become more complex and challenging. These nurses give practical advice about how to help make life easier for both sufferer and carer and for advice concerning the move towards more formal care arrangements. The money we raise will also help to ensure on-going support for both carers and sufferers.

I need to raise a minimum of £1750 as a condition of my place in the Marathon. As MSA is so very rare the funding for research is minimal at the moment. If my efforts along the streets of London can help find life-prolonging medication, or even better a cure, then it will be worthwhile.

Please help!