You may recall that a few years ago my yearly fund-raiser was for my step-grandson Lewis, who was unable to walk from birth. When he was 6 years old we raised money to help send him to the States for a operation which may have helped him to walk. The surgery didn’t enable him to walk, however it was nonetheless very helpful, as it released some of the nerve-tightness in his legs, which has helped his legs to not deform as he grows, which in turn means he has been able to continue to use a wheelchair. This has obviously been hugely beneficial on his ongoing quality of life, and - in spite of his disabilities - he is a happy chap who endeavours to enjoy life to the full! (And his knowledge of all things Dr Who related is genuinely encyclopedic!!)

5 more years have passed, and he has recently finally been diagnosed, with a condition called type-4 Autosomnal Dominant Spastic Paraplegia. This is a genetic disorder which can either develop within the sufferer, or it can be inherited. Regardless of the source, it means that his prognosis is at least now known. He has the most severe form of the condition, and although it does not materially affect life-expectancy, it does mean that he will never walk. There is currently no cure, and treatment is limited to just the management of symptoms (in terms of flexibility, pain-management, etc).

It is for this reason that I have chosen the "Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Group" as this year’s fund-raiser. They are a very small charity, run by people who either have the condition themselves to some degree, else have a personal connection to this illness. The  HSP Group exist to provide support (both practical and informational) to fellow sufferers & their families, and also to fund research into this debilitating condition.

So, on 4th May I shall be participating in a non-stop 106km round-the-Isle-of-Wight foot-race, during which I shall be wearing the colours of the HSP, Group to raise money to help them continue their supportive work.