Bella-Rose recently took part in two events for Odds And Socks Day 2026
Bella-Rose is 11 years old and a young carer for her dad who has Huntington’s disease. Bella-Rose carries the 50:50 risk of inheriting Huntington’s disease from her dad. Her mum, Hannah is an ambassador for the Huntington’s Disease Association and Bella-Rose is a keen fundraiser for the charity. In her spare time she is the captain for her cheer team and part of two competitive dance teams for BellaTrix Dance company.
I got really emotional, I couldn’t believe that everyone was wearing odd socks even my teachers and my coaches! I felt amazing knowing I had been a part of this and now everyone knew a bit more about Huntington's! It made me really proud!
For this year’s Odds And Socks Day, Bella asked her coach at BellaTrix for support. The week of the event, they asked every team member to attend their training wearing odd socks and donate towards the Huntington’s Disease Association. Doing this they raised £301.84.
My mum arranged with Emma from the Huntington's Disease Association who sent us balloons, donation boxes and stickers so we could make a big effort during Odds And Socks Day.
Bella-Rose also arranged for her school to take part in Odds And Socks Day by asking everyone to wear odd socks and make a donation. Supported by her head teacher, the school sent out messages to all parents about Odds And Socks Day.
The most fun parts were seeing all the silly sock combos and knowing I made that happen with the help of my coach and headteacher. It was great to feel a part of something so important to me.
They asked Bella-Rose to present an assembly in front of the whole school to raise even more awareness of Huntington’s disease. Although nervous, she wanted her classmates to understand what Huntington's is and how it affects her family, the impact of being a young carer and living with a 50:50 risk of inheriting the disease.
Seeing all the children so interested in what I had to say was really empowering, and made me feel proud of myself. I think now they understand a little better, and I hope they can grow up remembering what Huntington's is, which should allow for more awareness in the future.
What are your top tips for other young fundraisers?
“Make a plan and just do it! Speak with the Huntington's Disease Association fundraising team, they are super kind and will help you along the way. Get ideas from others and make it your passion to share awareness and fundraise as much as you can!”
Support from the Huntington’s Disease Association
Bella-Rose has understood what Huntington’s disease is, how it impacts her dad and her 50:50 risk from a young age. This is thanks to her mum, Hannah for reaching out for support from the Huntington’s Disease Association in talking with Bella-Rose and her brother and empowering them to talk about the disease. Both children utilise the youth engagement service which has helped them both grow in confidence and meet other children in a similar position to them.
“The Huntington's Disease Association has helped me a lot with days out and camp, which I enjoy a lot, I always get to meet friends who are also affected by Huntington's too. I often feel alone, so this always helps me to feel less afraid. The Huntington's Disease Association also helps my mum and dad to get the help we need at home.”
“I hope this money goes towards helping me and my brother and everyone else who is affected by Huntington's disease if we need it in the future. I hope it helps us to have more fun days out and camps with our Huntington's disease friends, because I really feel connected and not alone when I’m with them. I also hope it helps to fund Jack our Youth engagement worker to come visit us and any other children when we’re really struggling.”
Thank you to Bella-Rose for being an amazing young fundraiser and for sharing her story with us.
Has this inspired you?
If you have been inspired by Bella-Rose and her fundraising efforts, then take a look at our page packed full of fundraising ideas and challenges.