In May 2024, my brilliant Mum (who at that point had a diagnosis of Parkinson’s) walked 100 miles, despite losing my Dad a few weeks earlier in April.

Following a changed diagnosis to PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy), mum’s sysmptoms have now worsened to the point where she can no longer communicate effectively and has lost her mobility. Despite that she is doing amazingly and remains happy.

PSP is a difficult, cruel and progressive illness, taking so much from those who suffer with it. The process is made even harder at times as it is rare and is often not understood by the medical teams.

Small, dedicated charities like the PSPA are absolutely vital in supporting sufferers and carers. Without their help this minefield would be so much harder to negotiate and understand.

This January I am setting off to attempt to the Montane Winter Spine Race - a 268 mile, non stop, running race along the Pennine Way (from Derbyshire to Scotland) in the middle of winter. Snow,, ice, bogs and 16 hours of darkness per day combine with a lack of sleep to make this Britain’s most brutal race .

Whilst I am not doing the Spine Race as a sponsored event (it’s a personal wierd perversion and the failure rate is over 50%), I have set up an account for anyone inspired to raise money for the PSPA.

The week running will be tough but the dedication to keep going will be, in part, due to Mum’s inspiring struggle with PSP and the fact you never know what’s around the corner.

You can track my progress as ‘dot’ number 152 in the race, which starts on the 12th January here:

https://live.opentracking.co.uk/spinerace25/

Thanks for your support

Rich x

PSPA is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of people living with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD). We provide information and support for people affected by PSP & CBD whilst funding research into the causes, treatment, and eventually a cure.