In June 2026, Alicia, Gill, Katie and Maria are taking on the Kiltwalk for one reason — Ben… and families like ours.

Ben is only 5 years old.

Just five.

At an age where life should be full of firsts, laughter, and endless tomorrows, Ben was diagnosed with MPS IIIA, a cruel condition often described as childhood dementia.

MPS IIIA is a rare genetic condition where the body cannot break down certain sugars. These build up in the brain, causing progressive and irreversible damage.

It doesn’t just make children unwell.

It slowly takes everything.

Their words.

Their memories.

Their ability to walk, to play, to recognise the people they love most.

Children with MPS IIIA are not expected to live beyond their teenage years.

So while other families are planning futures…

we are being forced to think about time running out.

The day we found out, our world shattered.

But Ben is not a diagnosis.

He is the happiest, most loving little boy, with a smile that lights up every room.

He deserves more than this.

He deserves time.

And right now, time is everything.

In June, we will take on the Aberdeen Kiltwalk — walking around 18 miles.

That’s roughly:

35,000–40,000 steps

Around 6–7 hours of walking

The equivalent of walking from one city to another

Because for families like ours, this isn’t just a walk.

It’s a race against time to fund research, to push treatments forward, and to give children like Ben a chance before it’s too late.

That’s why the MPS Society is so vital in supporting families and helping to fund research that could change lives.

Every donation, no matter how small, truly matters.

We are walking for Ben.

We are walking for other children and families like ours.

We are walking for hope.

Thank you for standing with us 💙

We’re coming for you, Kiltwalk