“This illness splits families apart or keeps them together. There is no middle ground with it.”

For Connie Daly, those powerful words from her dad helped to inspire her support for other people whose lives are also impacted by Huntington’s disease.

“We’ve lost too many loved ones,” said Connie. “We can trace the disease back to my great grandmother. I never knew my gran but I remember Uncle Gary developing symptoms, including the jerky movements that he couldn’t control.

“As a child I didn’t understand why that was happening but I was used to being around family members with symptoms. I was never scared because my mum and dad shielded me from the worst of it but it was especially difficult when we lost my favourite cousin Laura. I idolised her growing up, she was so full of fun and had a great spirit.

“While Dad has tested negative for the faulty gene that causes Huntington’s, which means the disease isn’t in our family now, we still live with the losses of people we loved, so in that respect Huntington’s is always with us.”

Having recently moved to Scotland with her husband Holden, Connie was keen to get involved in the work of Scottish Huntington’s Association after discovering how much support the charity provides for families.

She has turned her home baking talents into a successful fundraising drive, encouraged by Holden and his employer, Pillow Partners, based in Glasgow.

 

“I’ve wanted to do something to raise awareness and funds for a long time but wasn’t sure how to go about it. Then Holden came up with the idea of a bake sale. I started making cakes and fudge and bringing samples for customers to try at the pub where I work. Soon I was being asked for more in exchange for donations and before long I had raised £400,” said Connie.

“Holden spoke to his boss at Pillow Partners who immediately offered to do what he can to help by hosting a bake sale in their office building. Then he signed the business up for the Scottish Huntington’s Association £50 Workplace Challenge to boost our fundraising even further.”

While Connie is busy batch baking to be ready for the event on Friday 13 December at Pillow Partners in Durham Street, Kinning Park, staff are getting their heads together for the BBC Apprentice-style challenge to multiply their £50 from Scottish Huntington’s Association into as much money as possible.

“The £50 Workplace Challenge is a great idea and I’m sure our staff will come up with ways to promote the bake sale and raise as much money as possible for Scottish Huntington’s Association,” said Scott Weir, founder and Chief Executive of Pillow Partners.

“When Holden told us about Connie’s fundraising we were keen to do what we can to help. I know her home baking will be a massive hit with all the workers in this building and workplaces nearby. Everyone is welcome to come along on the day to find out more about Scottish Huntington’s Association and try some of Connie’s excellent baking We’re already creating content for social media to let our followers know what we’re doing and how they can support.”

*Are you and your colleagues up for the £50 Workplace Challenge in aid of Scottish Huntington’s Association? It’s a great team building opportunity that also raises funds to help families in your local community. Contact fundraising@hdscotland.org for details.*