Banbury woman with rare medical condition to take on Three Peaks Challenge for local charity

A Banbury woman with a rare medical condition plans to take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge raising money for a local charity.
Claire Spendley and her two sonsClaire Spendley and her two sons
Claire Spendley and her two sons

One year ago 35-year-old Claire Spendley was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery for syringomyelia, her third surgery for the condition, and now she's preparing for a fundraising challenge.

The condition, which has a prevalence estimated at 8 cases per 100,000 people, causes cavities to form in the spinal cord which fill with fluid and compress the nerves of the spinal cord, causing irreversible damage.

Claire said: "Although, the neurosurgeons did a great job with my spinal cord I was left with some permanent nerve damage that causes paresthesia and loss of sensation, particularly in my right side.

As a syringomyelia patient it is very difficult to find much information about the condition - there are no leaflets in neurosurgery departments, for example.

I was diagnosed at 25 after visiting my GP for incontinence problems, which it turned out were all caused by the syrinx in my spinal cord. At that time, I was told by the neurosurgeon that if I didn't have surgery I would be paralysed within two years. I've had four operations in the last 10 years to try and halt the neurological damage the condition causes."

With the support of three good friends Claire has decided to embark on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge to as she put it "prove to myself that having a right leg that doesn't work properly doesn't have to stop me."

The group of four friends will take on the challenge on Saturday May 30, which involves walking a 24 mile route, including a 1585m ascent, to summit the three peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in less than 12 hours.

Claire has started training for the challenge, which can be difficult with her condition. But she plans to build up her strength through Pilates and lots of walks to build up her stamina.

She added: "I have just started training. The paresthesia and loss of sensation in my right side does make it difficult - the biggest challenge will be building up to spending that much time on my feet. At the moment, if I am up and about for long periods of time the paresthesia and numbness get significantly worse, particularly in my right leg and foot.

The condition presents differently for everyone. For me, it affects my balance, so I'm often bumping into things. If I'm on my feet for a long time it gets worse, so if I know I'm going to be on my feet for a long time I need to use a cane. I'll definitely need sticks for the challenge."

Claire is raising money for East Street Early Years (ESEY) charity located at the East Street Children's Centre, Calder Close, Banbury. East Street Early Years is a registered charity that provides nursery care for children aged 0-5 and a school holiday play scheme for children aged 5-11 years old.

Claire has set a fundraising goal of £500 for the charity. The money raised from the challenge will go towards the charity's planned expansion of their range of activities they offer the public.

Claire added: "The money I raise by completing this challenge will go towards much-needed resources, including an outdoor classroom, new tablets for the early years rooms, and new flooring for the outside area."

Anyone who would like to support Claire in her challenge can donate to the fundraising campaign through the following web address: https://www.gofundme.com/f/yorkshire-three-peaks-challenge-for-esey

Claire said: "My family couldn't have got through 2019 without East Street Early Years - the registered charity and nursery that has looked after both of my boys, and provided practical and emotional support to me and my family during a really tough year.

"Shortly after my surgery, my husband - Paul - was injured in a high-voltage electrocution, and once again it was ESEY that helped us and our then five and two year olds through the challenges."