Families from across Tayside gathered at Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, to unveil the fourth and final commemorative bench specially commissioned to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Scottish Huntington’s Association (SHA).
The presentation at Linlathen Neurological Care Centre followed similar events earlier this summer in Perthshire, Lothian and Fife, led by families from all over Scotland as part of celebrations to mark the charity’s milestone year.
Linlathen Neurological Care Centre is home to the Bridgeview unit, a purpose-designed facility for the care of people with HD. The bench was gifted by members of the Tayside Family Branch, which carries out fundraising activities and offers informal support to people living with the disease.
It is the second bench to be donated by Tayside families – the first was installed at Balhousie Rumbling Bridge Care Home, near Kinross, in May.
Across Tayside, SHA currently supports around 100 people with HD as well as family members who may be carers or at risk.
Paula Mcfadyen, Senior Huntington’s Specialist, said: “We’re thankful to Tayside Family Branch for continuing to play such an important role in furthering our work to improve the lives of people affected by HD, and for the kindness they are showing with the gift of this beautiful bench for use by the residents of Linlathen and their loved ones.”
SHA is the only charity in Scotland dedicated exclusively to supporting HD families with lifeline services, including a network of specialists, financial and wellbeing guidance and youth advisors, that make the difference between families coping and not coping.