On 2nd October this year I will be fulfilling a life ambition to run the London Marathon with the purpose of fundraising for the PSP Association, in memory of my Dad, Jerry Witts. He sadly passed away in June 2020 after a long and courageous battle with Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), a degenerative brain disease. 

PSPA is the only charity raising awareness of both Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and CBD in the UK. Both of these progressive conditions are devastating and life limiting with a prognosis between 6 and 8 years from onset of symptoms, typically affecting people between 50 and 70 when they are still in their prime of life. 

There is currently no treatment for CBD and PSP…

PSPA provides emotional and practical support to people living with these conditions, education for health and social care professionals and funding to improve services. PSPA also funds ground-breaking research into potential treatments and ultimately, a cure.

Many reading this will have known my Dad personally and know the devastating impact this cruel disease had on his life, and that of those who loved him. Following a long and distinguished career in the RAF, Dad retired an Air Commodore, DSO and had a successful second career as Financial Director of University College School. Sadly, this was cut short as CBD gradually eroded his independence and quality of life until his premature death at the age of 69.

When he was still able, Dad was very motivated to engage in PSPA’s research programmes whenever he could. If he was here now, I know he would be very supportive of my ambition. So please help me to honour his memory and support PSPA’s vision of a world free of PSP and CBD; please dig deep and sponsor me as much as you can!

Thank you so much for your support, it means a lot and will certainly make a difference. 

Claire

www.pspassociation.org.uk