Thank you for visiting my Just Giving page in support of Genetic Disease Research at the University of Sheffield. This year I will be taking on a Couch to 5km running challenge, to support the University's "Couch to £5K for Genetic Disease Research" campaign. Any donations are appreciated to help reach my fundraising goal!

In the UK alone, 1 in 25 children is affected by a genetic disorder. Sheffield University's scientists have discovered a way to engineer bespoke genes to replace or silence a faulty one. In the form of a safe viral vector these gene therapies will be manufactured in Sheffield and delivered to patients around the world.

The Sheffield team behind this research has already helped to develop gene therapy treatments for babies with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Babies suffering from SMA previously had a life expectancy of just two years, and were often left paralysed and unable to breathe on their own. After a single treatment, babies are now able to breathe without a ventilator and learn to walk. Some have even been able to start school.

By supporting this research you'll help Sheffield discover ways to treat even more genetic diseases. From genetic forms of Motor Neurone Disease to rare diseases such as COL4A1. COL4A1 can cause strokes, spasms and heart defects in babies and can be detected as early as a 20 week pregnancy scan.