When I was 18 (2017) my mum was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and I thought this was the worst thing that could happen, but in October 2023, I sat in a small, hot hospital room with my mum and was told she didn’t have Parkinson’s, a second of hope but they went on to tell me mum had MSA (multiple system atrophy.) They suspected she only had 2 years. The hardest thing out of everything was having to tell George and Poppy my two younger siblings the news. It broke me that I had broken them. I don’t think any of us have accepted the facts, but are living with the hope that mum will keep fighting.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare condition of the nervous system that causes gradual damage to nerve cells in the brain. Around 3,500 people in the UK and Ireland are currently living with MSA, which is why most people haven't heard of it.This affects balance, movement and the autonomic nervous system, which controls several basic functions, such as breathing, digestion and bladder control.

My mum is my best friend, she has always been the first person I go to for anything, good and bad. She has always supported me with my career choices, reasoned with me, taken me to therapy and come with me to every work event. A lot of this isn't possible now and I feel I am doing life on my own with my mum slowly deteriorating and becoming more absent in my life, but she still is the key to everything I do, She is the reason I do what I do, I’m so lucky that I still get to laugh with her, cry with her and support her in any way she needs it. We have a long, emotional stretch ahead of us but my mum is a fighter and has fought the odds more than once so all I ask is to help her fight by Joining us on our next challenge, donate to this worthy charity and share our story so everyone is more aware of MSA.

Every donation to the MSA trust helps. It goes towards paying the MSA specialist nurse who are heavily involved in mums day to day life, voice banking equipment for when MSA patients lose their voices, Support for newly diagnosed patients and family and friends, NHS clinics and most of all research to find a cure.

November 2025 I will be running (hopefully) the three 8’s. 8 miles, 8 days, 8 cities. I will be running 8 miles every day for 8 days in 8 cities. I hope you’ll join me for parts of the challenge to help raise awareness.

Why 8? It will be 8 years since my mum was originally diagnosed, 8 years since our lives changed. I wanted to dedicate this challenge to her!

I’m not sure this is possible, I’m not sure my body can take it and it's by far the hardest challenge yet but we have to try and make a difference and awareness for MSA.

We are hoping to have a small group to join us on this challenge, if you are interested please contact me, we would love to have you join us!

This is all for my beautiful, caring mum, Philippa x