Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I was devastated to hear some really bad news earlier this year.   One of my friends, Brian who is only 41, has been diagnosed with Huntington's disease.  This disease is not only terminal but has some particularly nasty degenerative symptoms - the first paragraph from the wikipedia entry sums it up in a couple of sentences: 

"Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and psychiatric problems. It typically becomes noticeable in mid-adult life. HD is the most common genetic cause of abnormal involuntary writhing movements called chorea, which is why the disease used to be called Huntington's chorea."

As you can imagine the slow decline in cognitive ability caused by this disease also has a huge emotional impact on the families who are doing their best to cope everyday and it is naturally impossible for them to lead the normal lives that many of us take for granted. 

 Through the 21st century innovation of facebook, I was alerted via my daily 'feed' that the Huntington's Society are trying to raise money for this disease by gathering a group of 10 volunteers to jump out an aeroplane and to then slowly descend back down to Earth via the force of gravity and with some help from a parachute, which I guess will come in really handy.  In a moment of complete madness, I volunteered to do the jump, naturally assuming that I probably wouldn't be lucky enough to be selected.  Well it turns out that I was selected and, all going well, I am now committed to jumping out a plane on the afternoon of the 9th June, weather permitting.  I must confess the prospect of doing this TERRIFIES me!  The other year, I did a sponsored silence and raised some money for a local kids school, so I am hoping to beat this effort with this more daring feat - albeit my work colleagues will hopefully not benefit, at all, from this one! 

To start off the fundraising, I have pledged £250 of my own money which will cover the cost of the jump and insurance etc.  The Huntington's society have set me the goal of raising £400, therefore I'm already halfway there!  I'd be very grateful if you would help me raise some more money for this great cause by sponsoring me please? 

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Your pledges will be used to aid research activities into Huntington's disease and to also provide local support to the families which are affected.  Research into HD may also benefit my friends Wilma and Brian's young son Aidan who has a 50% chance of developing the disease himself when he's much older. 

Thanks for your support!!!! 

Best Regards, 

Stewart

 

PS My jump will take place at Errol Airfield, Perth, EH2 7TB on Sunday 9 June 2013 - please come along and watch if you are free!  http://www.paragonskydiving.co.uk/

 

PPS Noticed that there are loads of videos of previous jumps posted on Youtube!