Scottish Huntington’s Association has launched a Stay Home and Step Up crisis appeal to support HD families all over Scotland who rely on its lifeline services.

The family-led charity’s income faces a significant drop as a result of the Coronavirus crisis, which has led to the cancellation or postponement of key SHA-led and community volunteer fundraising activities.

It comes at a time when vital services provided by SHA, including HD Specialists, youth advisors and financial wellbeing experts, are being stretched as families adjust to life in lockdown.

For many people, including children, whose lives are impacted by HD, this has meant additional caring responsibilities at home, anxiety over separation from loved ones in care homes, and worry about employment and confusion over access to medical care.

“We must adapt our fundraising approaches, explore other ways to generate donations and engage existing and new supporters with our work,” says John Eden, SHA Chief Executive.

“We know the HD community is facing additional and unique challenges right now, and SHA is reaching out to everyone who has the disease, and their family members of all ages, to make sure they have support.”

“While the impact of this global crisis on our daily lives is unprecedented, it has also led to an incredible outpouring of community spirit as individuals, neighbourhoods, clubs and businesses rally round to help the most vulnerable members of society.”

Stay Home and Step Up offers an opportunity to extend this kindness to families living with Huntington’s disease. People can make a donation online and via Facebook, or they can bring friends and families together to take part in one of three fun challenges.