For the first time PWA has made the decision to select a charity of the year, giving us a chance to support a cause that really means something to us, and allowing us to do our little bit to help.. even if it is just a little!
Being the year 2020 we thought it would make sense for us to raise £20,000 – high aspirations, but we’re certainly up for the challenge. The £20k target figure is also quite poignant in respect of our chosen charity, as you will see why below:
When this idea was initially conceived, we asked all of our employees to offer suggestions for particular charities; our chosen charity – The National Tremor Foundation really stood out, as it came to light that this was quite personal for one of our team, and by extension, a cause close to all of us at PWA.
Denene, our Business Manager shared with us that her sister, Merane, suffers from Essential Tremor, and although this condition was not something many of us were aware of, we now understand it to be condition which many people face alone, until finding others through support groups.
As we are still learning about this condition, we asked Denene’s sister, Merane to share her story..
Merane’s Story
“I have struggled with Essential Tremor for about 10 years. At first I hand a mild tremor in my right hand, this has progressed over the years and now effects my arms, torso, more recently my head and legs.
I take medication which helps however like so many people the medications are becoming less effective.
The National Tremor Foundation are a very small charity run mostly on volunteers, who have helped me greatly with support. I now run the Leeds Tremor Support Group, Leeds Tremor Assisted Walking Group and have recently set up the Sheffield Support Group.
Most of the people who attend the support group are unable to work due to their condition. Living with tremors makes everyday tasks very difficult, simple tasks such as brushing teeth, eating, drinking and writing are very tricky due to unsteady hands as a result people withdraw from social occasions and become very isolated.
Essential Tremor is one of the most common conditions but uncommonly known. Until attending the support groups, most people have not come across anyone else with the same condition so have just struggled alone.
2020 is an exciting year for the NTF and people with Essential Tremor, as we are having a big push on raising awareness to be able to reach out to others and provide more support. Along with working hard to get the NHS to fund a treatment called MRgFUS – MRI guided Focused Ultrasound Treatment which is currently only available privately costing £20,000 a treatment.
To hear that your company nominated the NTF as you charity for next year is absolutely amazing, every penny of any funds raised will be directly helping someone with Essential Tremor.”
-Marene Todd-
Playing our part
The team at PWA will be taking part in several challenges and activities throughout 2020 in a bid to do our bit in support of The National Tremor Foundation. And in the process we hope to raise the profile of this disorder with funds going to help with the development of support groups throughout the country, and to provide finance for research projects ultimately going on to help the 1 million sufferers in the UK!
We are still selecting events to add to the PWA calendar, however the main challenge for us this year will be the ‘Ultra Peak District Challenge 2020‘ where we will be trekking 100k as a continuous challenge through the night, expected to take 20-36 hours.
As well as our main challenge we have already decided on a variety of others, already firmly lodged in our calendars, as events are added we will update this list accordingly, but for now, our current planned activities are as follows;
- 22nd February, Ilkley Moor (7.0 miles/11 km – Walk) – COMPLETED!
- 14th March, MamTor (8.4 miles / 13.5 km – Walk)
- 4th April, Kentmere Horseshoe (12.8 miles / 20.7 km – Walk)
- 2nd May, Wharfedale 3 Peaks (18 miles / 29.0 km – Walk)
- 31st May, Pretty Muddy Temple Newsam (5k – Run)
- 5th June, Great North Swim, Windermere (2 miles – Swim)
- 6th June, Yorkshire 3 Peaks (24.5 miles / 39.2 km – Walk)
- 20th June, Saddleworth 3 Peaks (15.3 miles / 25 km – Walk)
- 21st June, Marsden Moor (9.0 miles / 15 km – Walk)
- 4th & 5th July, Peak District Challenge (62 miles / 100 km – Walk)
- 1st & 2nd August, Tough Mudder Yorkshire (10 miles – Assault Course)
- 26th September, Leeds Colour Run Harewood House (5k – Run)
How you can support our cause
As we progress through 2020 and our various challenges in support of the NTF. We are committed in our conviction that we will indeed rise to our ambitious challenge of raising £20,000 – we would be grateful for the support of anyone who deems this a worthy cause – any donations big or small will go a long way to supporting the NTF.
A link to our Virgin Money giving page can be found below, or at the very top of this article.
PWA – £20k for 2020 – Supporting the Essential Tremor Foundation – Virgin Money Giving
We also welcome anyone who wishes to participate to join us as we embark on our various challenges throughout the year, please do not hesitate to get in touch!!!
Essential Tremor – More info
Essential tremor (ET) is an uncontrollable shake or tremble of the body and affects around 4/100 adults over the age of 40. Most people who suffer from ET experience a mild tremor, however this usually gets more severe over time. Current estimates suggest that there are in excess of 1,000,000 suffers in the UK, making this condition 10x more common than Parkinson’s Disease – yet there is much less awareness.
Most people with essential tremor experience a trembling, up-and-down movement of the hands, although others are affected in their arms, head, eyelids, lips.. to name a few. This tremor can also develop in the voice box (larynx) causing a shaky voice. Essential tremor is usually more noticeable when you’re trying to hold a position or do something with your hands, such as write. It doesn’t always and doesn’t always affect both sides of the body equally.
Denene’s Sister, Merane, has struggled with Essential Tremor for about 10 years. At first she hand a mild tremor in her right hand, this has progressed over the years and now effects her arms, torso, and more recently her head and legs.
She takes medication which helps, however over time this form of treatment becomes less and less effective, which is the case for many sufferers.
Living with tremors makes everyday tasks very difficult, simple tasks such as brushing teeth, eating, drinking and writing are very tricky due to unsteady hands as a result people withdraw from social occasions and become very isolated.
Thank you for reading. Lets do this !!!