There was a variation on the lunch menu at the High School of Glasgow recently when senior pupils organised a ‘bush tucker trial’ to support people living with the degenerative neurological condition Huntington’s disease (HD).

The creepy crawly feast was just one of a series of fundraising events organised by the school’s Law House that raised over £4453 for the Scottish Huntington’s Association, the only charity in the country supporting families living with HD.

Cake sales, ice bucket challenges, pupil versus staff beep test challenge and a games fair all contributed to the final tally.

Modern languages teacher and Head of House, Jennifer Horne said: ‘We currently have a senior pupil who has a direct connection with HD and when it was explained to the House just how this disease impacts on people lives, they were all only too happy to adopt the SHA as our charity this year.’

The SHA supports HD families through a team of specialist nurses, its world leading youth support service and a financial wellbeing helpdesk.

HD is an incurable genetic brain disorder that usually starts between the ages of 35 and 45 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 swallow and mental illness. As it progress those affected will need 24 care. It is also hereditary with each child of those diagnosed at 50% risk developing the disease.

It is estimated there are around 1100 people living with HD in Scotland and about 5000 potentially at risk.

‘We are very grateful to all the pupils who took part in this week-long series of events. Not only has it raised some valuable funds to support our work, but will have increased understanding of HD and how it impacts people’s lives among a new generation of young people,’ said SHA community fundraising office, Linda Winters.

Image shows: SHA community fundraiser, Linda Winters (left) and youth team leader Kirsten Walker picks up a cheque for £4453 from the High School of Glasgow’s Law House.