Power workers blow the whistle on Huntington’s disease at charity match
Power workers are raising awareness about a rare genetic disorder affecting their colleague at a charity football match for Huntington’s Disease Association.
A year after UK Power Networks’ cable jointing instructor, Dan Johnston, 42, was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease, he will be guest of honour at a friendly clash between the firm’s apprentices and experienced field staff in the Maidstone and Canterbury areas.
Twenty-two colleagues are competing and up to 200 spectators are expected at the match taking place at Charing Sports and Social Club on Saturday (17 June), with the goal of raising up to £2,000 for the charity which is supporting Dan and his family.
Dan, a father of two from Horam in East Sussex, said: “I want to thank everyone who has supported the charity football match, it is amazing. When I learnt about the match I was struggling, but their support has spurred me on. I have had good support from work and can’t thank them enough.
“I will be attending the match with my family to see everyone and want people to have a good day, raising as much money as possible, so that people can have the same support me and my family have received from Huntington’s Disease Association.
“It means so much to me that the guys are supporting me at a time like this. Everybody is rallying round, from family and friends to colleagues. The charity did everything to get me the help I needed after my diagnosis, and now I want to help them.
“I want to do whatever I can to support research to make sure others don’t have to go through this. I’m taking part in clinical trials, which won’t benefit me but might benefit others. There is currently no cure, and you can’t stop it, but there is optimism in looking for cures.
“Having Huntington’s disease is like living 30-seconds behind everyone else, plus a lot of medication. It doesn’t have a happy ending, but with the right support and people around me, I am doing as much as possible to make great memories with my family and live my life to the fullest.”
Dan is pre-symptomatic which means he lives with cognitive issues, depression, anxiety and confusion, but still finds the strength to actively volunteer as an ambassador for Huntington’s Disease Association, playing a special role supporting younger people facing an early diagnosis, so they don’t feel isolated.
The fundraising event was organised by UK Power Networks’ engineering trainees team leader, Lee Woods, who said: “Dan is a caring guy who takes real interest in developing our apprentices, and we want to show him our support. I had never heard of Huntington’s disease and want raise awareness of the charity that has supported Dan and his family.”
As for the outcome of the match, Lee said: “I manage the apprentices’ team, so we’ve got youth of our side, but the older heads in the Canterbury and Maidstone team have been training for the match! It’s a charity match and I’m sure it will be played in the good spirit of the game. I know everyone is looking forward to the day and ultimately raising money and awareness for such a fantastic cause.”
Joe Dobbie, Head of Fundraising at Huntington’s Disease Association, said: "We are so grateful to UK Power Networks for coming together to raise awareness of Huntington's disease and valuable funds in their charity football match. Daniel is a Huntington's Disease Association ambassador and it is wonderful to see his workplace coming together to support his chosen cause. As a charity, we rely on donations so we are so appreciative of events like this so we can continue supporting people like Daniel and his family."
Visit the event fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/lee-woods-1684414656889?newPage=true
Huntington’s disease is caused by a faulty gene in DNA which affects the body’s nervous system, including movement, cognition and behaviour. Huntington’s Disease Association helps those living with the disease to live a better life. It improves care and support services for people with Huntington’s disease, educates families and professionals, and champions people’s rights.
A year after UK Power Networks’ cable jointing instructor, Dan Johnston, 42, was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease, he will be guest of honour at a friendly clash between the firm’s apprentices and experienced field staff in the Maidstone and Canterbury areas.
Twenty-two colleagues are competing and up to 200 spectators are expected at the match taking place at Charing Sports and Social Club on Saturday (17 June), with the goal of raising up to £2,000 for the charity which is supporting Dan and his family.
Dan, a father of two from Horam in East Sussex, said: “I want to thank everyone who has supported the charity football match, it is amazing. When I learnt about the match I was struggling, but their support has spurred me on. I have had good support from work and can’t thank them enough.
“I will be attending the match with my family to see everyone and want people to have a good day, raising as much money as possible, so that people can have the same support me and my family have received from Huntington’s Disease Association.
“It means so much to me that the guys are supporting me at a time like this. Everybody is rallying round, from family and friends to colleagues. The charity did everything to get me the help I needed after my diagnosis, and now I want to help them.
“I want to do whatever I can to support research to make sure others don’t have to go through this. I’m taking part in clinical trials, which won’t benefit me but might benefit others. There is currently no cure, and you can’t stop it, but there is optimism in looking for cures.
“Having Huntington’s disease is like living 30-seconds behind everyone else, plus a lot of medication. It doesn’t have a happy ending, but with the right support and people around me, I am doing as much as possible to make great memories with my family and live my life to the fullest.”
Dan is pre-symptomatic which means he lives with cognitive issues, depression, anxiety and confusion, but still finds the strength to actively volunteer as an ambassador for Huntington’s Disease Association, playing a special role supporting younger people facing an early diagnosis, so they don’t feel isolated.
The fundraising event was organised by UK Power Networks’ engineering trainees team leader, Lee Woods, who said: “Dan is a caring guy who takes real interest in developing our apprentices, and we want to show him our support. I had never heard of Huntington’s disease and want raise awareness of the charity that has supported Dan and his family.”
As for the outcome of the match, Lee said: “I manage the apprentices’ team, so we’ve got youth of our side, but the older heads in the Canterbury and Maidstone team have been training for the match! It’s a charity match and I’m sure it will be played in the good spirit of the game. I know everyone is looking forward to the day and ultimately raising money and awareness for such a fantastic cause.”
Joe Dobbie, Head of Fundraising at Huntington’s Disease Association, said: "We are so grateful to UK Power Networks for coming together to raise awareness of Huntington's disease and valuable funds in their charity football match. Daniel is a Huntington's Disease Association ambassador and it is wonderful to see his workplace coming together to support his chosen cause. As a charity, we rely on donations so we are so appreciative of events like this so we can continue supporting people like Daniel and his family."
Visit the event fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/lee-woods-1684414656889?newPage=true
Huntington’s disease is caused by a faulty gene in DNA which affects the body’s nervous system, including movement, cognition and behaviour. Huntington’s Disease Association helps those living with the disease to live a better life. It improves care and support services for people with Huntington’s disease, educates families and professionals, and champions people’s rights.