AROUND £6,500 has been raised from a 50-mile walk for the national 'Answers for aHUS' (atypical haemolytic ureamic syndrome) campaign — a partnership between aHUS UK and Kidney Research UK.

The Post reported (February 12) that Kim Balsdon, a radiographer from Patchacott, near Halwill, decided to take part in the walk as she was diagnosed with aHUS in November 2013, making her one of only 200 people in the UK to have the condition.

The rare disease is thought to be mainly genetic in origin. It affects the immune system and can lead to kidney failure and a very poor quality of life.

The walk, which began on February 28 — Rare Disease Day — kick-started a nationwide fundraiser called the Journey for Life.

The Journey for Life has been organised by the charity aHUS UK and it aims to raise awareness of the rare condition and generate funds for Kidney Research UK, so that more research can be done into this condition.

Other people will also be taking part, through events such as running, walking and skydives. The Journey for Life will finish in Newcastle at the Centre for Life in September.

The Journey for Life launch event walk from Illand to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital raised about £6,500 for the national campaign.

The walk took place over two and a half days with more than 25 walkers from Kim's family and friends getting involved at various stages of the event.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.