Josh Fedrick is completing 10 fitness events to raise money for Huntington’s disease research.
A man whose close family are living with an incurable brain condition is taking on 10 fitness challenges to raise money and awareness for the future.
Josh Fedrick, from Saltash, is taking on the ‘Hunting10’ to support his cousins, Charly and Jono, who both have Huntington’s disease (HD).
HD is a serious neurodegenerative condition that sees mobility and movement worsen over time and affects around 6,000 adults in the UK. It is an inherited condition, with a child having a 50% chance of developing the disease if they have a parent with the altered gene.
Seeing his younger cousin, Charly now unable to live independently due to the severity of her symptoms, and inspired by his close-knit family, Josh was inspired to ‘get up and do something’. So he mapped out 10 challenges to support research into the condition at the University of Plymouth and the HD Association, starting with the 5K pasty and pie challenge in Exmouth this weekend.
While there is no cure for HD, research at the University has made strides into understanding the processes that cause it and aims to provide hope for the future.
Josh said: “Normally Huntington’s disease symptoms don’t develop until at least age 30, but in my cousin Charly it was in her early 20s, back in 2014. My mum and auntie have been amazing in their fundraising efforts for the University, so I thought: right – it’s my turn to get up and do something too.
“I’m a personal trainer so am naturally active, but I hate running! So starting with a running challenge is actually a big deal for me. Included in my Hunting10 is also the Hyrox in Bologna, the Plymouth Half Marathon and the three peaks 24-hour challenge, before culminating in a sprint triathlon at Blenheim Palace. It’s going to be fun, but I know full well it won’t be easy.
“We’re a really close-knit family and I’m so pleased Charly will be there to cheer me on at Exmouth. I’ve just got to keep going and raising awareness of this condition, as you never know who it might affect.”
Rachel Brown, Head of Development at the University of Plymouth, said: “The research that takes place into Huntington’s here at Plymouth is world-leading, and it’s thanks to support from fundraisers that we’re able to ensure it continues. Josh’s mum, Liz and auntie, Sarahjane have been amazing with the fundraising they have done for us over the years, and we’re so touched that Josh is continuing it.”
Read more and donate on JustGiving and follow Josh’s progress on Instagram @jumpwithjoshy
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