A COVENTRY woman has set out on a mammoth hike to raise money for her husband’s rare debilitating muscle disease.
Anne Wade is attempting to walk more than 100 miles and climbing 4,165metres through the North Pennines of Cumbria and Durham to raise £1,025 for charity MYAWARE.
MYAWARE supports people affected by myasthenia gravis – a rare long-term condition that causes muscle weakness.
The charity raises awareness about the condition, funds research to find new therapies to reduce the impact of the conditions and ultimately find a cure.
Ms Wade’s challenge includes navigating along the tough terrain using a map and a compass, including during hours of darkness.
She is carrying spare clothing, waterproofs, torch, food, water and emergency equipment.
She said the challenge ‘feels impossible’. But she is determined to raise money for the charity, spurred on by the thought of her beloved husband.
She has been sharing photos of her journey which she began last week and she hopes to finish on Saturday (May 25).
She said: “MYAWARE is a charity very close to our hearts and to our family.
“My husband, Vaughan, was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in 2006.
“What started as Ocular Myasthenia (double vision and drooping eyelids) quickly progressed to Generalised Myasthenia as well (skeletal muscle weakness affecting his jaws, speech, neck and limbs).
“Establishing a drug regime to stabilise and improve his symptoms is still an ongoing saga.
“Periods of ‘normal’ muscle function fluctuate with ‘disability’ episodes, which significantly affect our daily lives.
“There is no cure, but, with the help of MYAWARE support groups and professional contacts, we can adapt to living with the symptoms and drug side-effects.”
Her journey has seen her pass Hadrian’s Wall, the South Tyne Trail, Pennine Way including Cross Fell, at 893metres, the highest point on the Pennines – and High Cup Nick – a geological wonder.
The Long Distance Walkers Association organises its ‘flagship’ 100 mile event every Spring Bank Holiday weekend.
The event is held in a different area of the UK each year and entails walking 100 miles with only short food and drink breaks.
To donate go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/anne-wade2?utm_campaign=pfp-tweet&utm_content=Anne-Wade2&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_source=Twitter&utm_term=7kJvXAdp2
