Thank you for taking the time to read Jenny’s story, and my reasons for running for the MSA Trust in her name. This year I’m pushing out of my comfort zone by running mountain races with an aim to raise money and awareness for the Multi System Atrophy (MSA) Trust. What’s MSA? Well exactly… It's not a well known condition.

Multiple System Atrophy is a rare life-limiting neurological disorder causing degeneration (or atrophy) of neural cells within the brain and spinal cord. It causes progressive degeneration to the autonomic nervous system (which controls everyday functions such as bladder control, digestion, heart rate and blood pressure), and motor systems (such as movement, balance and speech). 

The condition affects adults, usually around 50-60 years old, and is estimated to affect around 3300 people in the UK (around 5 in every 100’000 people). It is not a well known disease, both among the public and the medical profession. There is no known cause and it is difficult to diagnose. This means the condition is often missed in the early stages and treatment options and support are limited. Some of the symptoms of the disease can be treated with medications designed for similar conditions. 

There is currently no treatment which can slow the progression of MSA, and sadly, no cure.

The MSA Trust’s vision is to find the cause and ultimately a cure for MSA through research. They also exist to support people affected by MSA, and those close to them whose lives are turned upside down by this awful disease. The Trust understand each person’s experience is individual, but ensure that they are not alone on their journey.

I know the Trust has been a great help to Jenny, her family and friends. Which is why I have chosen to raise funds to help them continue making a difference to people’s lives. My chosen challenges are:

Salcombe Head to Head Trail Half marathon - April 2019 (Completed in 2.5 hours).

Yorkshire 3 Peaks Fellrace - April 2019 (DNF after being timed out after 2 peaks )

SUP Bike Run Wales - SUP 6km, Mountain bike 30km, trail run 10km (May) - Completed

Pinnacle Ridge Extreme Skyrace (26km 2900m Ascent) - The Lake District. in July. This is an extreme mountain 'Skyrace', including some severe and technical scrambling terrain - nothing like I've competed in before. 

Snowdon Fellrace - exactly as it sounds! No trains to the top! (July)

Snowdonia Trail Marathon - My FIRST full marathon distance race, but with several mountains and 4500m or so of ascent (that's about half of Everest)! This is the biggie for me as I’ve never run this distance before, not even on flat or easy terrain (September)

When I started this journey, I did so with Jenny’s blessing. I knew it was going to be really hard, not just the races, but the dedication to training in all weathers all through the year. I was very touched and privileged that Jenny was able to join me in support of my first event of the year, the Head to Head half marathon, back in April. It was a special race for me anyway, as the route took me passed my grandma’s house, and past my Grandad’s final resting place. It is also the only one of my events that Jenny had the opportunity to join me for. On the morning of the 7th May 2019 this lovely lady very sadly passed away in her sleep.

The races I’ve chosen are no walk in the park. They will push me in terms of distance, terrain, ascent and mental capacity. It’s not going to be easy, but I known I’m doing it for a really good cause, which will keep me going. Some people will think i’m crazy! But I’m not doing it just for me. I’m doing it for all the people suffering from MSA, for their carers and their families. I run up mountains because it is a privilege that some people don’t get to enjoy, or may never get the chance to again, because of this condition. I’m doing it for all of those people, and I’m doing it for Jenny. If you’ve read this far I hope I’ve convinced you to part with a few coins to help me up those mountains, so you can help all those people too.

If you, or someone you know is struggling with this condition, or if you want to know more about MSA and the work of the MSA Trust, please follow this link 

https://www.msatrust.org.uk/ 

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