Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Most of you will know that running is far from my favourite activity, however, I want to raise as many funds as possible for an excellent cause, that is very close to my heart.

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a brain disease that entails the progressive death of neurons or nerve endings in the brain. This is the area that controls balance, movement, vision (particularly upgaze and downgaze) speech and the ability to swallow.

Hence the main symptoms are loss of speech and full sight, inability to make small movements (writing/typing/cutting food etc) and regular falls, causing other injuries. This is because the sufferer cannot react in any way to break the fall.  Swallowing food also becomes difficult and often leads to feeding having to be done via a tube which is inserted through the midrift directly into the stomach.

All of this is made worse by the fact that the person remains of sane mind. 

It affects about 6 people per 100,000 (although believed to be around 15 per 100,000 due lack of diagnosis).

The average life expectancy of a sufferer is 7 years, although for the last two years the sufferer is often bedbound as the body will not respond to anything.  

There is no cure. There is not even any treatment to help sufferers.

No-one knows what causes it but it is not genetic. 

As you will have worked out, the disease puts a huge stress on the lives of not only the sufferers but also the people around them.  

3 years ago, my Dad was the fittest, healthiest guy I know from his generation. Unfortunately, now he can do very little under his own steam.

The PSP Association is a fantastic charity, raising funds and providing support for sufferers of the disease and their families. I aim to raise as much money as possible for them and raise awareness of this terrible disease.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The PSP Association gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Thank you so much for any support you can give. Every penny makes a difference.

Rob