Thank you for being part of our community of changemakers!

Whether you’re stepping up to run for SHA or supporting someone else’s efforts, you’re making a real difference for families impacted by Huntington’s disease.

Our mission is to fight tirelessly to ensure that everyone impacted by Huntington’s disease in Scotland has access to the specialist care and support they need, when they need it, regardless of where they live.

Huntington’s disease is caused by an inherited faulty gene that damages the brain over time. People with the disease can eventually lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink and care for themselves.

The physical, cognitive and mental health symptoms are so severe that Huntington’s has been described as ‘one of the worst diseases known to mankind’.

Because the condition is genetic, it affects whole families rather than individuals alone. Its devastating impact is compounded by the fact that each child of someone with Huntington’s disease has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene.

Scottish Huntington’s Association is the only charity exclusively dedicated to supporting families in Scotland impacted by Huntington’s disease.

By taking on a running challenge for Scottish Huntington’s Association, you are helping us reach more families with lifeline support, raise awareness, and break the silence that too often surrounds Huntington’s disease.

You can learn more about our vital work and the difference your support makes on our website.

💙Mark- Our fundraising champion

This is Mark. Mark lost his dad, Frank, to Huntington’s disease during the Covid pandemic. Frank was a well‑known Glasgow character - “the city’s biggest bookie”-whose shop appeared in Trainspotting and Still Game. He was a proud, private man who chose to keep his diagnosis quiet, even as his health declined.

Covid restrictions meant the family had very limited time with him in his final months. The day after his wedding anniversary, Frank passed away in Mark’s arms. The grief, the isolation, and the lack of a full funeral left a silence that felt impossible to break.

Running changed that.

In 2025, Mark decided to honour his dad’s memory and speak openly about Huntington’s disease for the first time. He completed five major events in nine weeks - over 100km - raising over an incredible £4,500 to support families across Scotland. Along the way, he connected with people from the Huntington’s community, heard stories from those who knew his dad, and found a sense of healing he hadn’t anticipated.

“I wasn’t expecting the fundraising challenge to be so emotional and healing for me. Talking openly for the first time about how Huntington’s has impacted our family, and raising money to help other families, feels like a fitting tribute. It has brought me peace and I’m finally ready to let Dad go.”

Mark’s experience shows the power of running - not just to raise funds, but to spark conversations, honour loved ones, and bring people together.

By running for Scottish Huntington’s Association, you’re helping families find hope, strength, and specialist support at the moments they need it most.

Mark’s journey shows what’s possible when someone chooses to run, speak out, and stand with families impacted by Huntington’s disease.

Thank you for visiting our campaign page and being a part of our community. It means so much.

Join #TeamSHA today and help ensure no family faces Huntington’s disease alone