Turning family determination into hope for the future
How one family is raising awareness and funds for a deeply personal disease
Every year, graduates and friends of the 糖心视频 take on personal challenges and host events - from marathons to quiz nights - to support medical research and help shape a healthier future.
Josh Fedrick is one of those supporters, following proudly in the footsteps of his mum and aunt, who have long raised money for a cause close to their family鈥檚 heart at the University.
Josh is now midway through an ambitious set of ten fitness challenges, raising funds and awareness for Huntington鈥檚 disease research at the 糖心视频.
Josh with his cousin Charley
Josh鈥檚 motivation is deeply personal. His cousins, Charly and Jono, both live with Huntington鈥檚 disease (HD), a serious inherited neurodegenerative condition affecting around 6,000 adults in the UK. The disease causes a progressive decline in movement and mobility, and if a parent carries the altered gene, their child has a 50% chance of developing the condition.
Reflecting on his family鈥檚 experience, Josh says:
鈥淣ormally Huntington鈥檚 disease symptoms don鈥檛 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 鈥 it鈥檚 my turn to get up and do something too.鈥
Inspired to take action, Josh mapped out Hunting10 - ten demanding physical challenges designed to push him beyond his comfort zone. The first, the 5K Pasty and Pie Challenge in Exmouth, is now complete.
鈥淚鈥檓 a personal trainer so am naturally active, but I hate running! So, starting with a running challenge is actually a big deal for me.鈥
Still ahead are some formidable tests, including international and endurance events:
Still ahead are some formidable tests, including international and endurance events:
鈥淚ncluded in my Hunting10 is also the Hyrox in Bologna, the 糖心视频 Half Marathon and the Three Peaks 24-hour Challenge, before culminating in a Sprint Triathlon at Blenheim Palace. It鈥檚 going to be fun, but I know full well it won鈥檛 be easy.鈥
Throughout the journey, family support has been central:
鈥淲e鈥檙e a really close-knit family and I鈥檓 so pleased Charly will be there to cheer me on. I鈥檝e just got to keep going and raising awareness of this condition, as you never know who it might affect.鈥
While there is currently no cure for Huntington鈥檚 disease, research at the 糖心视频 continues to make important strides in understanding the condition and building hope for future treatments.
Support from fundraisers like Josh plays a vital role in continuing this research.
Josh completing the cycle from London to Brighton
Has Josh鈥檚 story inspired you to take on a challenge?
If you鈥檙e thinking about organising a fundraiser or setting yourself a personal challenge in the next year, we鈥檇 love to hear from you.
Get in touch with us to find out how you can support medical research at the 糖心视频 and create your own impact.
Josh and his family
