Ataxia is the name given to a group of neurological disorders that affect balance, coordination, and speech.  Recent studies suggest there are around 10,000 adults in the UK with a progressive form of ataxia.  In most cases there is no cure for these types of ataxia, and gradually sufferers lose the ability to carryout everyday tasks that we generally take for granted.

On the 6th of June 2016, we lost my Dad (Zoe & Zak's doting Grandpa) to cerebellar ataxia.  Over the years he had lost the ability to talk, walk and eventually even to swallow.  My brave Dad dealt with it all without complaint, and his only concern was that his family were going to be OK. 

Zoe and Zak were very keen to do something in memory of their Grandpa so in May 2017 the 4 of us are taking part in Gung-Ho http://begung-ho.co.uk which is a 5K inflatable obstacle course.  We are doing this mainly to raise awareness of this terrible disease and the lack of treatment currently available, so thank you for reading this. 

We are launching this awareness and fundraising effort on January 31st 2017 as this should have been Dad's 70th birthday.  As we cannot be together, eating cake and sharing stories, we felt it would be a fitting tribute for his big day.

If you are able to sponsor us all the money will go to Ataxia UK who are a little charity taking on this big disease head on with research programmes and support work across the country.  You can find out more about the disease and the charity at www.ataxia.org.uk

Thank you for helping us celebrate our loving, wise and ever patient Dad and Grandpa.

Carol, Mark, Zoe and Zak

x x x x

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.