A student in Lincoln has started training for the Lincoln 10k to raise money for her friend who’s been diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease.
Ellis Kerton decided to get tested for the Huntington’s gene last summer after she found out that her father was positive.
The disease is an inherited, neurological disorder that causes progressive mental deterioration, resulting in death of brain cells.
The earliest symptoms are often subtle problems with mood or mental abilities then, as the disease advances, jerky body movements start and the person becomes unable to talk or swallow food.
Ellis said: “Huntington’s has been a part of my life for my whole life because my grandma got diagnosed in 2007 so we’ve watched her deteriorate.
“I always wanted to know if I had it, but I thought that knowing would be quite scary. Last summer I got tested and I tested positive.
“It encourages me to go out and fundraise more and raise as much awareness as possible. Until they give me a cure, that’s all I can do, so I’ve taken quite a positive attitude towards it.”
After discovering her diagnosis, Ellis’ housemate Chloe-Rose Beddows decided she wanted to do something to help.
Chloe said: “I decided to run the Lincoln 10k for Ellis after she explained to me that she’d been diagnosed with the gene for Huntington’s Disease.
“I thought it’s all well and good buying chocolates and a card, but what does that really do? I wondered what I could do to take away a bit of the pain, the disappointment and the sadness.
“I thought if anything was actually going to be of any benefit it would be to raise money for the charity, so I thought the Lincoln 10k would be a challenge for myself whilst still going to a good cause.”
In terms of training, Chloe has been attending gym classes and going out running regularly.
“It’s been quite enjoyable actually,” she said. “It feels good to go out and do some exercise instead of sitting around.
“Not only has it benefited me in terms of training and building up my own fitness, but meeting new people has been really good too.”
The Lincoln 10k will take place on April 2.
You can hear more about Ellis’ story by watching this video:
