A SERVICE designed to help Borderers living with Huntington’s disease has been given a £340,000 boost.

The Scottish Huntington’s Association (SHA) has been granted the cash by a number of trusts to help run its financial wellbeing service in the region.

The inherited disease, which stops parts of the brain working properly over time, affects around 1,100 people in Scotland.

The extra cash will help individuals and families in the Borders living with the condition, by advising them on benefits and family financial planning.

SHA chief executive John Eden said: “The debilitating nature of Huntington’s disease means that people’s working lives are cut short leaving them relying on a variety of benefits.

“This means as well as having a life shortening condition, 67 per cent of families affected also exist on income below the national average and 33 per cent live below the poverty line.

“This service is proving vital in helping families in the Borders take the stress out of trying to negotiate the benefits system and get people what they are entitled to.” Huntington’s disease typically begins to develop between the ages of 30 and 50.

It causes three main groups of symptoms: changes to thinking processes, loss of muscle control and involuntary movements which lead to loss of speech and swallowing, along with mental illness.

And those with the condition may eventually lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or make decisions and will eventually need 24-hour care. There is currently no cure.

Mr Eden added: “Huntington’s disease families have enough on their plate without having to worry where their next payment is coming from.

“But it’s not just about day to day finances, our team can help them prepare for a time when they are no longer able to control their own finances, so when the time comes everything is in order.

“I’m delighted we will be able to offer this invaluable support again for three more years, and would like to thank all the organisations who have contributed.”

The financial wellbeing service is being supported by the Henry Smith Charity £178,500; Robertson Trust £105,000; RS MacDonald Trust £36,000; Zurich Insurance £15,000; and the Yorkshire and Clydesdale £5,000.

For more information, visit: hdscotland.org