I will be taking part in the King of Greystones for the first time this year to raise funds for Temple Street Childrens Hospital. All funds raised will go specifically to a clinic for research into SMA and other neuromuscular conditions. Lara, the daughter of a colleague of mine (Niall McHugh) was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy when she was just 5 weeks old. Niall and his wife Celine were initially told that because Lara was diagnosed so young, she would be lucky to live 6 or 7 months and that there was no treatment or cure. In January they got some good news from Lara’s doctor in Temple Street. A new drug called Spinraza was being made available on a clinical trial basis. It’s the first treatment ever for SMA and they campaigned with Temple Street to get access to the drug for Lara, and were succesful. Lara started treatment in February, and is now 9 months old and showing signs of improvement. Lara, Niall and Celine still have a long road ahead of them, but thanks to Temple Street and this new treatment, they have hope! If you would like to learn more about Lara's story, you can do so on their Facebook Page 'CureSMAIreland'.