Fundraisers with a head for heights are being asked to step off the Falkirk Wheel to help raise money for Scottish Huntington’s Association (SHA).

Volunteer Fundraisers are wanted to abseil down the 135 foot structure to help out the only charity in Scotland that supports families living with the degenerative neurological condition Huntington’s disease (HD).

HD is an inherited genetic condition that usually starts between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It causes three main groups of symptoms: changes to thinking processes – a type of early onset dementia, loss of muscle control and involuntary movements which lead to loss of speech and difficulty with swallowing and mental ill health. As it progresses, those impacted will need 24 hour care. It is also hereditary with each child with a parent diagnosed at 50 percent risk of developing the disease. At present, there is no cure.

Money raised will help fund SHA’s team of specialist nurses, the world’s only HD youth support service and its financial wellbeing helpdesk.

‘The needs of families living with this condition are varied and complex and every penny raised will help towards improving the everyday lives of people impacted by Huntington’s disease,’ said SHA Community Fundraising Officer, Linda Winters.

Anyone interested in the Falkirk wheel abseil should contact linda.winters@hdscotland.org or call her on 0141 848 0308.