Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!

The photo above is my beautiful niece Merry, who has A-T.

Ataxia-Telangiectasia (“A-T”) is a very rare, neuro-degenerative, genetic disease which affects many parts of the body.   It first appears in early childhood with symptoms such as lack of balance, slurred speech, and increased infections. Because all children at this age take time to develop good walking skills, coherent speech, and an effective immune system, it may be some years before A-T is properly diagnosed.

Slurring of speech often develops in the first decade.  Co-ordination of limbs becomes abnormal. Involuntary movements may start and generally become worse over time. They may include small jerks of the hands and feet that look like fidgeting and shaking episodes.  Eye movements become restricted and reading and following moving objects then becomes difficult.

At the beginning of the second decade of their lives most people with A-T begin to use a wheelchair.  By their teens or early 20's, those with A-T usually die...

Learn more at www.atsociety.org.uk/

I am doing a 5k run in Liverpool on the 9th May.  Now, to those who have done 10k and half-marathon it might not seem like a great distance, but for me it will be the equivalent of a the first run of a newly employed ancient and overweight Peruvian Chasqui who has asthma!

I WILL RUN THE WHOLE WAY AND WILL NOT WALK AT ALL SO PLEASE SPONSOR ME AND DONATE NOW!!! (Thank you kiss kiss xx)

P.S.  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.