I have taken on the challenge of competing in my first half marathon in aid of Ataxia UK on the 13th October 2019. Ataxia UK are a non government funded charity that offers support and advice to people in the UK suffering from Ataxia as well as those connected to the condition. 

There are around 10,000 people in the UK that suffer from a form of Ataxia, My dad, aunt, uncle and cousin all suffer from a rare type of Ataxia called Spinocerebellar Ataxia SCA 3. It is a genetic condition so is something that you are born with, however the symptoms usually don't start to show till a person is in their late thirties or early forties. 

There is no cure for the condition and patients are told by health professionals that the symptoms generally deteriorate over time. Me and my siblings have a 50% chance of inheriting the condition from my dad. This particular type of Ataxia affects the cerebellum part of the brain, causing symptoms that affect a person's balance and co-ordination, speech, vision, swallowing, tightness of muscles and cramps, and this is just to name a few. 

Ataxia UK have been there for me and my family during this journey and it would be great if you could contribute to this amazing cause!