A semi-retired accountant who has been fundraising for more than a decade is getting ready to take on a charity walk to support families impacted by Huntington’s disease.
Margaret Moncrieff founded the annual fundraiser, called Walk of Hope, with friends and fellow supporters back in 2012.
Together they will make their way along the banks of the River Clyde in Erskine on Saturday, October 8 – marking the event as Margaret’s eleventh walk, and increasing awareness and raising funds for the Scottish Huntington’s Association in Paisley, the only charity in the country working exclusively for the HD community.
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Huntington’s disease causes brain cells to break down, resulting in severe physical, mental and cognitive symptoms.
These include declining muscle control, the onset of involuntary jerky movements and a loss of ability to walk, talk, eat, drink and swallow. It affects thinking processes, leading to memory loss, behaviour changes and an inability to make decisions and plan.
Mental illness, such as depression, mood swings, anxiety and, in some people psychosis, may also develop.
The symptoms develop very slowly and in some cases the period between diagnosis and death is 25 years.
Huntington’s disease is caused by a faulty gene that is passed down through the generations. Each child of someone with the disease has a 50/50 risk of developing it too.
“When my younger sister was diagnosed in 2005 it was a terrible shock as we had no known history of Huntington’s disease in our family,” said Margaret, from Houston.
“We soon discovered that if our sister had Huntington’s disease then we, her siblings, were also at risk. My brother died without having been tested but it’s likely that he had the disease. I was tested and was lucky to receive a negative result.”
Soon after her sister’s diagnosis, Scottish Huntington’s Association stepped in to support the family.
“My sister was visited regularly by a Scottish Huntington’s Association HD Specialist and that’s how I first became aware of the services the charity provides,” said Margaret.
“When I retired in 2008 I did my first fundraising - I took part in the Big Fun Run in Bellahouston Park. Later that year I was invited to join the office staff at Scottish Huntington’s Association as a volunteer which is when I began to find out more about of the range of support that is offered to families like mine. I also saw how much the fundraising is appreciated.
“I’ve been fundraising every year since then and I suppose I will continue for as long as I can. The Erskine Walk of Hope is designed to suit people of all abilities, including those with Huntington’s disease.
"It’s a simple there and back journey and everyone can do as much or as little as they like. This has proved especially useful in really bad weather!
“I can do very little for my sister now but to raise funds towards the Scottish Huntington’s Association services she receives is one way I can help her.”
With more than a decade of dedicated fundraising under her belt, Margaret’s efforts have been praised by staff at Scottish Huntington’s Association, families across Scotland, and by Natalie Don MSP who tabled a Parliamentary Motion last year in recognition of her contribution.
The Scottish Huntington's Association is based at Business First, Linwood Point, and you can find out more at hdscotland.org
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