Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I’m running an upcoming 10K run in support of Ataxia UK and in memory of my constituent James Loach, who lost his life to a condition called Ataxia.

James was the beloved son and the youngest of four children of Yvette and Harry Loach. He was a happy loving little boy who loved the power rangers and football. He was kind and caring with a wicked sense of humour but from age 15 he started to experience problems with his balance and coordination. Despite seeing several doctors the diagnosis of a little known condition called Friedreich's Ataxia was not found until after James tragically lost his life at just 19 years old.

James’s family helps bring awareness to this condition by fund raising in his memory for the charity Ataxia UK, hoping to help find a cure for those currently affected.

The ataxias are a group of rare, neurological conditions. They disrupt the messages sent from our brain to our muscles. They disrupt your ability to control your body; to walk, talk and balance. They are progressive and currently there are no cures for the majority of ataxias including Friedreich's Ataxia.

Ataxia UK is the only charity in the UK that funds research into all of the ataxias and supports those affected until they find a cure. By donating to a fundraiser, your money will help those affected by ataxia by providing support via a helpline, crucial research into cures, useful publications, branches and support groups across the country, and much more.

Thank you for your support.