A group of Sheffield healthcare professionals are walking 100 miles to raise money for research into a rare genetic spinal disease.

Seven of them are walking for three days in June along The Dales Way from Leeds to the Lake District to fundraise for further research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Shreya Srinivas, one of the walkers, said: “It has been great preparing for the walk and discovering amazing trails in the peak district. 

“We are all full time working health professionals and trying to juggle work and family commitments has been difficult.”

Six out of the seven walkers work to care for children and young people with neuromuscular conditions, including Spinal Muscular Atrophy, at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The group has called their trek ‘walking SMArtly’ using the initials SMA which stand for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a genetic condition that affects the motor neurons, causing progressive muscle weakness.

So far the group have raised £1,845 out of their target of £2000 for ResearchSMA with the aim of increasing public awareness of the condition.

This is especially important as the best way to treat the condition is not yet known, meaning that the money raised can go towards projects that can fund good quality research.  

The team wants to be involved in studies that can help guidelines and standards of care in providing best treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy patients all over the country.

Particularly as Sheffield Children’s Hospital is a leading centre for conservative care in spinal conditions and in treating rare genetic conditions.

So far the team have been training hard, completing a 22 mile hike for their first group walk, and have made plans to do a longer 30 mile walk in the next few weeks.

This is alongside all of them doing their own individual training that includes slowly building up their distances of trail walks, practising in the wet and rainy Lake District conditions and even running a marathon.

If you would like to donate to ResearchSMA please follow this link https://www.gofundme.com/f/Walk-SMArtly