January can be a difficult time of year for many, especially those living on their own. Participating in #HDMove has been a huge emotional and physical support for us at Merseyside Branch, and we can't wait for 1 January 2026. The Mersey Movers are ready!
#HDMove was launched as a concept off the back of the Covid 19 pandemic. The country went into lockdown and left people having to be a bit more creative in how they kept fit and active.
Merseyside Branch have participated in the #HDMove fundraiser since it launched in 2020. Many of the branch members were feeling very isolated due to Covid and the lack of face-to-face engagement. #HDMove was the perfect opportunity to not only get everyone active but was a way for them to keep communications of the group going.
There's a varying degree of mobility and fitness in the group whether it was dog walking, taking kids to the park, canal walks with friends or 10-mile cycle rides. Everyone committed 100% and collectively, the step count was amazing.
The branch created an #HDMove team and a WhatsApp group for tracking progress. This was used for the fundraiser but also provided emotional support and motivation for all the group.
Everyone dropped in daily with what they had been up to with photos of their activities and progress reports for those who had signed up to one of the activity/performance apps.
Peer support, team activities and keeping active are really important for people especially those living with a long-term condition such as Huntington’s disease.
A few words from Merseyside Branch Chair, Cristine Clarke
I became a branch member back in 1994, when my Husband was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. The branch was a lifeline for me back in those early days, realising your not on your own having people who understood what you were thinking and feeling was literally life-changing for both myself and my hubby. Being supported by our local Specialist Adviser who helped us to navigate the fragmented care system and the ever-shifting benefits schemes, a continuous battle to get the appropriate support in place but I really would not have been able to achieve what we did without the support of the Huntington’s Disease Association and my Merseyside branch family.
Take part in #HDMove
We aim for our fundraising challenges are accessible for everyone in our community. #HDMove is a great way to get involved individually or with a group of friends, colleagues or with your local branch or support group.