<p>UPDATE: I did it! Completed the Great Manchester Run in 01:38:43. And even managed to run the first 5k and the second 5k in exactly the same time (1second slower on second 5k).</p> <p>THANK YOU to everyone who supported, cheered, waved, high-fived, donated and generally helped to raise awareness about Ataxia.</p> <p>xx</p> <p>I'm supporting <strong><a title="Ataxia UK website" href="http://www.ataxia.org.uk/" target="_blank">Ataxia UK</a>&nbsp;</strong>because I've seen, in my mum, how dramatically it can affect every&nbsp;aspect of a person's life in a very short space of time. To be able to help find a cure would be incredible.</p> <p><strong>So what is ataxia?</strong></p> <p>'Ataxia' means &lsquo;absence of order&rsquo;. People with ataxia have problems of co-ordination. This is because parts of the nervous system that normally control co-ordination and balance are affected. Ataxia is the principal symptom of a group of neurological disorders called the cerebellar ataxias. Most are progressive.</p> <p><strong>What does Ataxia UK do?</strong><br /><a title="Ataxia UK website" href="http://www.ataxia.org.uk/" target="_blank">Ataxia UK</a> aims to support all people affected by ataxia; people with the condition, their familes, carers and friends. The charity funds research into developing safe, effective treatments with the ultimate goal of finding a cure for the ataxias. In the meantime Ataxia UK helps people to live with ataxia by providing a range of services that are not available anywhere else, including an advocacy service.</p> <p>Thank you for any donations you are able to make.</p> <p>Due to illness I couldn't take part in the Bupa Great Manchester run 2010 - so I'm back for 2011. Your donations still count, I don't expect you to donate twice -&nbsp;but I won't stop you either!</p>