Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I've chosen to raise money for this cause as it's one close to my heart. After many years of hospital visits, taking part in several research studies and trying various medications for various diagnoses, my father, Peter Martin, was recently diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).

If you don't know, Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a rare, progressive, neurological disease that can affect both men and women. It is caused by degeneration or atrophy of nerve cells in several (or multiple) areas of the brain. There is currently no cure.

The MSA Trust do great work to support sufferers of Multiple System Atrophy, along with their carers, families and healthcare professionals. As well as funding research into the condition, they also provide a telephone helpline and email support and information for people with MSA, carers, health and social care professionals. They also employ two specialist nurses.

If you'd like to learn more about the condition, or the work the MSA trust do, you can do so at the trust's website: http://www.msatrust.org.uk/

In order to raise money, I'll be climbing three peaks (Blorenge, Skirrid and Sugarloaf) around Abergavenny over the course of one day. The total distance covered will be about 20 miles. If you want to know more about the South Wales Three Peaks Trial, there's more information available at their website: http://www.threepeakstrial.co.uk/

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now. Here's how your money could help:

£10 could supply detailed information to the healthcare team caring for one person with MSA

£20 could provide welcome support packs to three families affected by MSA

* £50 could cover the cost of venue hire and refreshments for one regional MSA support group meeting   

* £150 could cover the daily cost of manning our telephone and email helpline

* £500 could supply an MSA nurse at two specialist MSA clinics

* £1,000 could pay for our support line for one week – providing vital support to around 60 families

* £2,500 could deliver teaching sessions to health and care professionals for six months

* £100,000 could fully cover our annual commitment to new research