I have decided to do this in memory of my mum, Jackie, who sadly passed away on the 25th of May 2010. After this run being postponed twice, I am so excited to finally be able to run my first half marathon for a charity so close to my heart. 

Jackie was diagnosed with MSA in 2008 and suffered a tragic battle with the horrific disease. MSA is a rare neurological disorder with no cause or cure. It affects both adult men and women,  although Jackie was  particularly young to be diagnosed with this. It is caused by degeneration or atrophy of nerve cells in several areas of the brain. This results in problems with movement,  balance and autonomic functions of the body such as bladder and blood pressure control. Not only did it affect Jackie’s physical mobility, it also affected her ability to speak and the strength of her internal organs. With MSA being such a rare and unheard of disease, we didn’t have the knowledge or support to deal with it. Therefore I would like to raise awareness of the disease, and enable other people and their families who are suffering from the same ordeal to gain the support that the MSA trust provide. Furthermore, any money raised will contribute to research into MSA which will hopefully find treatment to prevent some of the heartbreaking effects we experienced.