Newbury woman's gruelling charity challenge line-up

Inspired by grandmother's illness

A NEWBURY woman has several charity fundraising marathons and challenges in her sights, inspired by her grandmother.

Chloe Anderson, aged 22, who has lived in Newbury for 14 years, has signed up for a series of challenges in aid of the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Association.

“My nan was diagnosed with PSP three years ago and her condition has worsened as the time has passed,” said Miss Anderson.

“We know first-hand the pain and distress this disease can cause not only the sufferer, but their family and friends as well.”

A former pupil at The Downs School, Compton, and also St Nicolas Primary School in Newbury, Chloe is currently dividing her time between working for the Newbury Dogs Trust in Hamstead Marshall and training for a line-up of testing physical challenges.

These include 25k Trekfest Brecon Beacons (completed on June 4), London’s Rough Runner in September, Wellington College’s Muddy Welly 10k in December and the London Marathon in April next year – which she is hoping to run alongside her brother, Lewis.

“This [London Marathon] is going to be a massive physical challenge for me, having never run a marathon before,” she said.

“I have been given a charity place through PSP and have therefore agreed to raise a certain amount of sponsorship money. Any help to do this is greatly appreciated.”

According to the PSP Association, the illness is a Parkinson’s-like neurological condition caused by the premature loss of nerve cells in certain parts of the brain.

Over time this leads to difficulties with balance, movement, vision, speech and swallowing.

Research suggests around 4,000 people are living with PSP in the UK at any one time.

In its early stages, symptoms can resemble those of other neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke or multiple system atrophy, with initial misdiagnosis common.

Visit www.pspassociation.org.uk for more information.

To sponsor Miss Anderson visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Chloe-Anderson93