Red Runs for MS Trust after Girlfriend Chloe's Struggle

Red is running the Altra Yorkshire Marathon this October to raise money for the MS Trust after his girlfriend Chloe was diagnosed with an aggressive form of MS in 2022.

One morning, Chloe woke up feeling that something wasn't right; she was struggling to keep her train of thought, and couldn't speak clearly. She decided to go to the hospital when she experienced double vision while driving.

The doctors initially thought Chloe had had a stroke, and decided to have her admitted to hospital, where she stayed overnight for more tests. Red immediately packed a bag and drove to Sheffield, as the two were in a long-distance relationship at the time.

"I didn't realise that I wouldn't be coming home again."

In the coming weeks that were spent waiting for test results, Chloe's health continued to decline. She lost the ability to move her left arm and leg, her double vision worsened, and she was experiencing a tingling pain and numbness throughout her body, as well as extreme fatigue; some days she would sleep for 20 hours. Chloe suddenly needed help with every aspect of her daily life, walking, eating, brushing her teeth, getting dressed.

"It was incredibly scary to watch this unfold while we waited to find out what was causing Chloe's condition, and I quietly hid my fear from Chloe and tried to show strength while she tried to grasp what was happening to her."

After a month in hospital, Chloe was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). MS is a lifelong autoimmune condition that occurs when the body's natural defences attack its own nervous system. With Relapsing Remitting MS, it would mean that the attack that Chloe was suffering would eventually stop, and that she would be able to mostly recover, but could relapse and experience another attack at any time throughout her life.

"While it was a relief to finally have answers, this was a lot to process. Within the space of a month, Chloe had gone from full health, having never show MS symptoms, to having a lifelong disability."

Chloe then began a range of treatments to supress her immune system, that came with their own scary side effects. She is now undergoing treatment and physiotherapy, and is much stronger than before, although her left arm and leg remain weaker, and her fatigue is a daily battle to manage.

She now uses her signature colourful walking sticks, and occasionally uses a wheelchair to help her mobilise, while still enjoying the benefit of Red running around after her, as they have lived together ever since.

"Her constant strength and courage in the face of her condition has inspired me to run the Altra Yorkshire Marathon this year to raise funds for the MS Trust. They provide incredible support to people living with MS, which is invaluable to us both. They even work with the NHS to fund specialist MS nurses, which we rely on all the time."

This is Red's second time fundraising for the MS Trust, having previously run the Cambridge Half Marathon last year:

"I couldn't possibly ask for more donations without going the extra (26.2) miles!"

You can support Red by visiting his JustGiving page, seen below, and help him in his aims to raise money for the MS Trust.