Leap into Odds And Socks Day on the Oddest Day of the Year
Under Embargo until 00:01 on Thursday 29th February
Hundreds of people across England and Wales including actors George Rainsford and Juan Pablo Yepez will be leaping into leap day with pride and wearing their silliest odd socks to show their support for people affected by Huntington’s disease.
The Huntington’s Disease Association has launched its first ever Odds And Socks Day to raise money for those living with the condition as well as awareness of the 50:50 odds of inheriting the Huntington’s gene.
The charity’s patron and long-time supporter, actor George Rainsford, said: “This is an incredibly important cause and one that’s very close to my heart, having played the character Ethan Hardy in Casualty who had the disease.
“I did a lot of research for that role and spoke to a lot of families affected by this dreadful condition, which is passed on through the generations and leaves a devastating legacy. “Imagine as a young person watching your loved one slowly deteriorate and knowing that same fate awaits you.
“There are thousands of incredibly brave people out there living with the disease and I am wearing odd socks today to honour them and help raise money for the Huntington’s Disease Association, which does a fantastic job of supporting them.
“The more people who get involved in Odds And Socks Day the better, so please join me by registering via the website, donating whatever you can afford and wearing and sharing photos of your odd socks on social media to spread the word about Huntington’s so we can make sure those affected get the recognition and help they deserve.”
Huntington’s disease affects the body’s nervous system – the network of nerve tissues in the brain and spinal cord that co-ordinates your body’s activities.
It is genetic, which means if one of your parents carries the gene you have 50:50 odds of inheriting it. That’s a one in two chance.
The symptoms usually start at 30 to 50 years of age, but in rare cases they can appear in childhood which is known as Juvenile Huntington’s disease.
Currently there is no cure; it gets gradually worse over time and is usually fatal after a period of up to 20 years.
Symptoms of Huntington’s disease can include:
- difficulty concentrating and memory lapses
- involuntary jerking or fidgety movements of the limbs and body
- mood swings and personality changes
- problems swallowing, speaking and breathing
Huntington’s Disease Association Chief Executive Cath Stanley said: “There are currently 8,000 people living with Huntington’s in the UK and another 32,000 people at risk of developing it. It has a devastating impact on families, particularly in the latter stages when people with the condition need full-time nursing care.
“We are the only organisation in England and Wales offering support to people affected by Huntington’s. Just £11.98 will help pay for five really helpful information booklets for children to learn more about the disease, so take a leap of faith with us and wear your oddest, odd socks today with pride!”
For more information about Huntington’s disease, read real life case studies including Megan’s story or donate to Odds And Socks Day please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/oddsandsocks
You can also follow the Huntington’s Disease Association on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn and show your support by posting your own photos using the hashtags #OddsAndSocksDay and #WhatAreTheOdds
Besides Juan Pablo Yepez and George Rainsford, other high-profile Odds And Socks Day supporters include adventure guide Inge Solheim and Dr Christian Jessen from Embarrassing Bodies.
Notes for editors:
About Huntington’s disease
Huntington’s disease affects the body’s nervous system – the network of nerve tissues in the brain and spinal cord that co-ordinate your body’s activities. This leads to progressive deterioration – physically, cognitively, and mentally until the individual becomes dependent on the help of others. Symptoms include motor (movement), mental health (for example mood) and cognitive (for example learning and thinking) disturbances, which in most cases appear in mid-adult life.
Huntington’s disease currently affects around 8,000 people in the UK or 1 in 10,000 people. Up to 32,000 people in the UK are at risk of developing the disease. It can start at any age, but symptoms usually first appear between ages 30 and 50. Symptoms gradually get worse over 10 to 25 years until the person dies. Every child conceived naturally to a parent who has the faulty Huntingtin gene that leads to Huntington’s disease has a 50% chance of inheriting it.
About the Huntington’s Disease Association
The Huntington’s Disease Association provides much-needed services to people affected by Huntington’s disease including:
- specialist advice
- online support via social channels and website
- funding for selected research studies and projects
- local branches and support groups
- events and activities for families and people affected by the disease
- training and events for professionals
The Huntington’s Disease Association provides support to people across the whole of England and Wales and relies almost entirely on voluntary donations.
Our mission is to enable everyone affected by Huntington’s disease to live life to their full potential by:
- improving care and support
- educating families and the professionals who work with them
- championing the needs of the Huntington’s community by working together
- influencing decision makers to tackle discrimination and secure equity of access to services
For more information visit hda.org.uk
For media information, please contact:
