Representing the Huntington's diease community in the Queen's baton relay
Two members of the Huntington's disease community have carried the Queen's baton in part of the 294-day journey around the Commonwealth.
This collective journey will ignite hope, solidarity and collaboration, as it connects communities embraces unique cultures and shares inspirational stories.
Josh Beasley-Hall and Heather Solan were both selected to become baton bearers due to their inspirational stories and contribution to the community.
Josh
Josh has been campaigning and raising awareness of Huntington's for a number of years. Josh lost his mum to Huntington's disease when he was ten years old before finding out that he carried the faulty gene aged 18. Over the past few years, Josh has pushed himself to the limit with multiple fundraising challenges from the Great North Run and the Hull Half, trekking the Grand Canyon and the Swiss Alps and most recently running the London Marathon where he has just secured a place in the 2022 race. Josh often speaks on the radio and to local papers in order to raise awareness around what Huntington's disease is as well as advocating within the community and has spoken at numerous charity events over the years. Josh was featured in Hull Live, This is the Coast, and on the Humberside Police blog in the lead-up to the event.
Josh said:
“I am really honoured to have been nominated by the Huntington’s Disease Association and I am very proud to carry the baton as it makes its way to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Only 2022 people have the honour of carrying the baton and to be chosen is a real privilege. I know the disease could affect me at any time so I’m making the most of life to raise awareness and fundraise for Huntington's disease."
Heather
Last year Heather ran the London Marathon and is part of a fundraising group called the 'HD Support Squad'. This year, the team have got lots of fundraising activities planned including: Derwent reservoir dualathalon, Yorkshire three peak challenge, Sunderland to Sunderland Bridge 30mile hike, Total Warrior and the Vitality 10k. Heather was also featured in the Chronicle Live.
Heather said:
"I was shocked and honoured to be nominated by the Huntington's Disease Association to be a baton bearer and absolutely overwhelmed to be chosen. Carrying the baton made me feel proud and emotional and is certainly a memory me, my friends and my family will treasure forever. Hopefully the coverage will help to raise more awareness of Huntington's and the fantastic work of the Huntington's Disease Association."
Congratulations to both Heather and Josh for carrying the baton on behalf of their hometowns and the Huntington's community.
Two members of the Huntington's disease community have carried the Queen's baton in part of the 294-day journey around the Commonwealth.
This collective journey will ignite hope, solidarity and collaboration, as it connects communities embraces unique cultures and shares inspirational stories.
Josh Beasley-Hall and Heather Solan were both selected to become baton bearers due to their inspirational stories and contribution to the community.
Josh
Josh has been campaigning and raising awareness of Huntington's for a number of years. Josh lost his mum to Huntington's disease when he was ten years old before finding out that he carried the faulty gene aged 18. Over the past few years, Josh has pushed himself to the limit with multiple fundraising challenges from the Great North Run and the Hull Half, trekking the Grand Canyon and the Swiss Alps and most recently running the London Marathon where he has just secured a place in the 2022 race. Josh often speaks on the radio and to local papers in order to raise awareness around what Huntington's disease is as well as advocating within the community and has spoken at numerous charity events over the years. Josh was featured in Hull Live, This is the Coast, and on the Humberside Police blog in the lead-up to the event.
Josh said:
“I am really honoured to have been nominated by the Huntington’s Disease Association and I am very proud to carry the baton as it makes its way to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Only 2022 people have the honour of carrying the baton and to be chosen is a real privilege. I know the disease could affect me at any time so I’m making the most of life to raise awareness and fundraise for Huntington's disease."
Heather
Last year Heather ran the London Marathon and is part of a fundraising group called the 'HD Support Squad'. This year, the team have got lots of fundraising activities planned including: Derwent reservoir dualathalon, Yorkshire three peak challenge, Sunderland to Sunderland Bridge 30mile hike, Total Warrior and the Vitality 10k. Heather was also featured in the Chronicle Live.
Heather said:
"I was shocked and honoured to be nominated by the Huntington's Disease Association to be a baton bearer and absolutely overwhelmed to be chosen. Carrying the baton made me feel proud and emotional and is certainly a memory me, my friends and my family will treasure forever. Hopefully the coverage will help to raise more awareness of Huntington's and the fantastic work of the Huntington's Disease Association."
Congratulations to both Heather and Josh for carrying the baton on behalf of their hometowns and the Huntington's community.