Families living with Huntington’s disease hit Inverness city centre for five-hour dance party
Families living with Huntington’s disease hit Inverness city centre for a five-hour dance party yesterday, (Saturday 7).
Amongst those taking part in Dance 100 at Falcon Square were people with Huntington’s disease and those who are at risk of developing the hereditary condition.
There were also carers, family members of all ages, supporters, a Highland pipe band, local dance schools, and members of the public who joined in the fun.
The event included a live DJ set of 100 hits to raise awareness about the rare condition.
The sponsored danceathon raised more than £13,000 for Scottish Huntington’s Association to help deliver specialist services for Huntington’s families.
The charity is the only organisation in the country dedicated exclusively to the care and support of people impacted by Huntington’s disease. It does this through a nationwide network of Huntington’s Disease specialists, specialist youth Advisors and financial wellbeing officers.
Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition which damages the brain.
Over time it can leave people unable to walk, talk, eat, drink, or care for themselves. In addition to severe physical symptoms, it also changes thinking processes, leads to early onset dementia and can cause serious mental illness. Each child of a parent with Huntington’s disease is at 50/50 risk of also developing the disease.
This event was organised and led by local families in partnership with Scottish Huntington’s Association. Families got together to bring Dance 100 to the Highlands following two successful years in Glasgow’s George Square.
Scottish Huntington’s Association chief executive officer Alistair Haw said: “Dance 100 is an amazing example of how the Huntington’s community comes together in support of one another and to raise awareness about Huntington’s disease.
“We are hugely grateful to our families in the Highlands who worked so hard to bring Dance 100 to Inverness and to the businesses who supported the event.
“And we thank the people of Inverness who came along to watch or dance with us. We received many donations on the day and were genuinely overwhelmed by such generosity.”
