From the 12th - 14th November I’m attempting a ridiculous running challenge to raise money for the Huntington’s Disease Association. 

“The Druid’s Challenge” is a multi-day ultra marathon, completing the full length of The Ridgeway, Britain’s oldest pathway, in 3 days.

It will be an enormous undertaking, following in the footsteps of herdsmen and soldiers who have used The Ridgeway since prehistoric times, on a route that stretches 85 miles (136km) over ancient landscapes, woodland and hills. For three consecutive days I will run more than a marathon distance each day, in likely unfavourable weather, on challenging, undulating terrain. It has an ascent gain of 2203 metres, more than two times the height of Snowdon.

As lots of you will know, my character in “Casualty” has tested positive for the Huntington’s gene. Huntington’s Disease is an incurable, hereditary and degenerative brain disorder. It has been compared to both Parkinson’s Disease and dementia. Most devastatingly, anyone carrying the faulty gene has a 50% chance of passing it on to their own child.

We reached out to the Huntington’s Disease Association to fact check the ongoing storyline and I was invited to meet individuals and families living with Huntington’s Disease to see first-hand the effects it has on them. It was hugely impactful- a heart-breaking, life-affirming and humbling experience and I was honoured afterwards to be asked to become a patron for the charity.

The Huntington's Disease Association supports anyone who is affected by Huntington's Disease across England and Wales. The money raised will allow them to pursue the best possible care; provide training & advice to families and professionals; raise awareness, and promote research towards better treatment and care.

I also want to raise awareness so that the public understand not only how devastating the disease can be, but also to celebrate the amazing strength & positivity that some families with Huntington’s have, in this the charity’s 50th year.