A local fundraising group that has worked tirelessly to support the University’s world-leading research into Huntington’s disease has raised even more with a sold out charity performance.
For One Night Only took place at the Devonport Playhouse in November, performed by members of the Touchwood Theatre Company. The event generated £900, bringing the total raised by the local family and their friends to over £35,000.
The donations have made a hugely valuable contribution to the costs of research carried out by Dr Shouqing Luo, Associate Professor in Neurobiology, and his team in the University’s Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine (ITSMED).
Members of a family affected by Huntington’s disease, Liz Fedrick, Charly Honey and Sarah Jane Dawe lead the group, supported by friends. They have held regular charity events in Plymouth and south east Cornwall over several years, putting in considerable time and effort in support of the University’s research.
Huntington’s disease is an hereditary disorder of the nervous system caused by a faulty gene on chromosome four. The faulty gene leads to nerve damage in the area of the brain resulting in gradual physical, mental and emotional changes.
Those born to a parent with Huntington’s disease have a 50:50 chance of developing it, and there is currently no cure.
Liz Fedrick said:
“A few years ago, my niece Charly was diagnosed with Huntington’s. This event raised money for research which is looking for effective treatments, and ultimately a cure.
“Over the last five years, our family and a team including David Bailey, David Hunter, Maggie Lutley, Jamie Tolcher, Rob Stenhouse and Carly Wills and her family have put on various charity events. Following the success of our first One Night Only show in 2016, we decided to do one again, and we can’t thank our friends enough for giving up their time to take part in this revue.
“Thank you to fellow members of Touchwood Theatre Group, DJR School of Performing Arts and guests who took part in the show. You are all amazing!
"We hope and pray that a cure will be found soon.”Dr Luo said:
“We are truly grateful for the continued support from Liz and her friends and family, who go to such great efforts to raise the money we need to carry out our research. Knowing that we have such dedicated supporters means a lot to the team and spurs us on to find an effective treatment as quickly as possible.”
