Welcome to our Just Giving page. For those that don't know me I'm James and I'm going to try to keep this pitch as short and sweet as possible.

On the 23rd September 2018 I turn 40 and to mark this auspicious occasion I'm going to run my first ever marathon. Yep, that's right. This is the Loch Ness marathon and it's actually on the day of my birthday - as things currently stand it could be a very short decade! Fortunately my sister (Laura Atkinson) who has already run a marathon has agreed to run it with me and so has my brother-in-law (Phil Clark). They must have seen the fear in my eyes! Their stories are found below.

So why am I doing such a silly thing? I'm running to raise money for something very important to my family - research into a little known genetic illness called myotonic dystrophy type 2 (or DM2 for short). This is a form of muscular dystrophy and the people who suffer from it face huge challenges in their lifetimes. For a list of symptoms click here https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/9728/myotonic-dystrophy-type-2 . As a very brief overview the illness zaps you of your strength. This means you have to meticulously plan every day and every event carefully no matter how big or small so you don't run out of energy! Sufferers can also have a long night's sleep but still wake feeling exhausted - every day. This, combined with muscle weakness and pain, are the most frustrating things about DM2.

So why am I running to help raise money for this rare disease? Simple. My wonderful wife has this illness. In 1998, having averaged 80%+ in her first 18 months at University (double firsts no less!) my wife had to abandon her course and return home because of what we now know to be this debilitating illness. We didn't know what it was at the time but it was an incredibly tough moment in a young person's life. At 19 my wife had no choice but to abruptly end her studies, which for any undergrad defines their life at that moment. She then spent two years struggling through each day and eventually in 2002 went back to a local university, and got a top law degree from a top faculty.

Around this time, the gene defect responsible for Victoria's illness hadn't even been discovered. It wasn't until 2010 that Victoria was finally diagnosed as having DM2, which has unfortunately got progressively worse over the last 20 years.

All of that aside though she has always managed to find the positives. I'm hugely proud of her for battling the illness - displaying her Scottish grit and determination many, many times. When the going has got tough Victoria has just kept going and largely done it all with a spring in her step and a smile on her face. She has taught our children so much and is a brilliant role model. Of course, I know any husband would say that kind of thing of their wife but I could seriously write a book about how well Victoria has handled her DM2 and how strong her mind is. I live in awe of her unbelievable resilience. She is my constant reminder that life is very precious and if you've got your health you really must cherish it. No excuses. She is our hero.

My mother-in-law also has this illness (she has had a pace maker fitted to deal with her heart issues) and we suspect at least one of our boys has it.

Unfortunately there is no magic pill for this (it would of course be our one wish if we found Aladdin's lamp!) In fact, there is virtually no treatment at all and even pain management for the disease is currently in its infancy. This all means cash is desperately needed for dedicated research and I want to make sure your donations are invested into targeted research that actually helps DM2 sufferers.

So if possible I ask you for two things. Raise your awareness of this illness (that would be a great start) and please make a donation if you can afford to make one. No pressure but it would be really great to raise a decent sum of money.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. The Perry family really appreciates it.

Best wishes,
James

P.s. Perhaps also pray for me! Yes, come to think of it, make that three things. Your awareness, your cash and please ask your Gods to get me past that finish line safely! Love to all.

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My name is Phil and I am Vicks’ brother. Not only does my little sis have this condition but she inherited it from my mother, who has also been battling this for all of her adult life. Whilst little is known about the illness today, this is still much more than when this first began taking its toll on my mum. Having seen first hand how progressively worse my mother has become over the years, it’s tough to fathom just what Vicks will have to go through in the years ahead. I’m running for them both and with the aim to promote a little awareness of this illness (along with providing James with some much needed moral support!) This too is my first marathon, 8 years and many beers after my last half.

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Hi I'm Laura.

My sister-in-law has known me since I was 12. At 12 I thought she was the prettiest person to walk into a room. At 12 I already knew that she was one of the kindest people in my life. My sister-in-law is so incredibly intelligent (seriously crazy brainy), humble, loving and gentle. My sister-in-law is a wife, a daughter and a wonderful mother. She is a singer, an animal lover and can turn her hand to any task or adventure put in front of her. She is elegant, poised and completely bonkers!

My sister-in-law is Vicky.

She has DM2. DM2 does not define her but it is a huge part of her life now. I will never be able to tell her that I understand the pain, worry and discomfort that she goes through every day - because I don't but I'm running this marathon to show Vicky and my brother how much I love and support them. At 33 I still think she is the prettiest, brainiest, most humble and loving person in the room. It’s just that now I also think she is the bravest.