MND Scotland supporter takes on Everest Base Camp Trek in memory of friend

Mother of two, Kelly Huxtable, 51, from South Ayrshire, is preparing to embark on an extraordinary journey to Everest Base Camp on 30 November 2024 to honour the memory of her friend, Elizabeth Casagranda (‘Betty’ to those close to her), who bravely fought against motor neuron disease (MND), and to help raise important funds for MND Scotland.  

Betty was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother who was diagnosed with MND in her 50’s, and lived well into her 80’s. During this time, she showed immense courage and resilience and touched the lives of everyone around her.  

Speaking about how they first met, Kelly said: “I’m a hairdresser by trade, and I first met Betty when I was working at the sheltered accommodation complex she was living at. I got to know her over the 12 years until she died from pneumonia in 2021.  

“When I first met her, she was in a wheelchair, and at that point, she was still able to lean over the sink so I could wash her hair. But that stopped after a few years. Despite having no speech at all, people around her knew what she was trying to say, and I could always understand her”. 

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This can cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, swallow or breathe and the average life expectancy is just 18 months from diagnosis. 

Kelly added: “Her lovely family watched Betty struggle daily with this cruel disease, which she fought with determination, courage, and sheer stubbornness. She never complained, and her sense of humour was amazing. Not a week passed that I never left her without laughing at something or someone”.  

In addition to balancing a busy family life of being a wife, a mother and working as a petrol station attendant, Betty always enjoyed ballroom dancing with her husband and was quite a character.  

“I would have loved to have known her back then. She was a strong person and wouldn’t let anyone stand in her way. She was very private and didn’t want any fuss made about her”. Kelly added. 

By taking on the Everest Base Camp Trek, Kelly hopes to carry Betty’s legacy forward and help raise important awareness about MND, a progressive and terminal condition that affects hundreds of individuals and their families across Scotland. 

Regarding booking the challenge, Kelly said: “My brother-in-law, Andy Huxtable, has raised thousands of pounds for MND Scotland and recently held a very successful charity golf event at Royal Troon, so I wanted to do something personally to help raise funds. 

“My friend had already signed up for the trek challenge for another charity, and after hearing about what was involved, I decided that it was something I wanted to do in memory of Betty, and I booked flights the next day”. 

The challenge itself will take approximately 11 days to complete and include a total of 80 miles of walking and climbing through different terrains and altitudes across Nepal. With the help of her personal trainer, Jack Boyd, Kelly has been preparing for this epic challenge, and every step of the trek will be dedicated to Betty. 

Each day will involve a different activity – putting physical, mental and emotional endurance to the test – and the higher and closer you get to the Base Camp, fewer facilities – showers, sleeping arrangements, toilets, WIFI etc.- will be available.  

Jonathan Mitchell, Head of Fundraising, said, “Fundraising in memory of a loved one is such a special thing to do and we are so grateful to Kelly for fundraising in memory of her dear friend, Betty. By taking part in this Trek, Kelly is helping us get closer to our vision of a world free of MND.  We are so thankful to the whole Huxtable family, for being such dedicated fundraisers and supporters”. 

Kelly will be joined by her two friends and sponsored by her husband, Alan Huxtable, owner of Huxtable Design and Build, and his business partner, Callum Douglas, co-owner of CAAN Design, who will kindly supply them with branded kit, sponsorship, and everything the team will need to complete the trek.  

The funds raised by Kelly will directly contribute to research initiatives aimed at finding a cure for MND and enhancing support services for those affected by the disease.  MND Scotland would like to say thank you to Kelly for taking on this ambitious challenge in support and wish her all the best in the trek. 

If you would like to donate to her page, please visit:  

https://www.justgiving.com/page/kelly-huxtable-1720889506276 

For more information about MND Scotland and how we can support you or your family, please visit: www.mndscotland.org.uk, email: info@mndscotland.org.uk or call: 0141 332 3903.