A woman is to hike Snowdon after a beloved relative passed from a rare degenerative disease.

Kelly Gordon (24), will trek eighteen miles up and down the Welsh mountain for her late cousin Michelle.

Michelle passed from Huntington's disease last December aged just 39.

Kelly and Michelle grew up together and were like sisters.

Michelle (left) and Kelly (right) were so close they 'were like sisters'. Here they are pictured in the late 90s. (Image - The Barton Family)

Kelly will complete the 3560 feet climb with her boyfriend, her brother Max (27), and her brother's partner.

"Michelle is my cousin but all of my childhood memories are with her, she was like my big sister," said Kelly.

"It would've been her 40th birthday next Saturday. So I'm going to celebrate and raise a glass.

"My gran fostered her from the age of seven, as Michelle's mum passed away from the disease as well.

Kelly is doing Couch to 5K to train for the epic ascent of Snowdon. Kelly decided to climb one of Britain's tallest peaks as Kelly (red) and Michelle (stripes) used to go on holiday in Wales together. (Image - Stemontis 3.0 bit.ly/3I4hVzh Unchanged)

"We lived together on Leadbeaters Close in Macclesfield, and played in the reservoir nearby.

"We used to go to a chalet on holiday in Wales, so I had to choose Snowdon for the challenge because Wales was so important to us.

"When we used to go to Caernarfon me and Michelle used to play on some rocks on a patch of grass outside the chalet.

"I couldn't climb any of them, but there was one I could climb without Michelle's help with white markings on the top of it, and we used to call it Snowdon. So it all ties in!

Kelly (bottom, red) and Michelle (holding Kelly) pictured at a Macclesfield reservoir. Also pictured is Michelle's younger brother Peter (black and yellow stripes), Kelly's brother Max (in the green) and Kelly's oldest brother Jack in the yellow.

"I know Snowdon isn't a big challenge for a lot of people, but I've got joint hyper mobility and arthritis in my ankles. So I naturally struggle with anything long distance.

"I've not done Snowdon but I'm really excited for it."

Michelle leaves behind a 15 year old son called Lucas, who will also be accompanying Kelly on the walk.

Kelly hopes to raise awareness and money for the inherited disease that breaks down nerve cells in the brain.

Kelly is a graphic designer by trade. She left Macclesfield two years ago, but was raised in our town.

She has already smashed her initial fundraising goal of £1,500, having raised £2,500 as of publication of this article.

"Thank you so much to everyone that has donated, we've had some people that didn't even know Michelle," added Kelly.

"I am amazed to have met my goal already. It is really nice to see so many generous people out there. I now want to double it. The more I make, the more I know it is going to help somebody in the future.

"Huntington's disease is a degenerative disease which is similar to Parkinson's and MS, it is like those diseases combined into one."

"It is a 50-50 gene. If your parents had it, there is a 50 per cent chance you'll pass it on. If you carry it, you have it from when you are born but don't typically see any side effects until early adulthood.

"Your brain starts deteriorating and you then start to lose control of your limbs, you struggle with walking, talking and chewing to a point where it becomes fatal."

Huntington's disease has no known cure.

Michelle was a keen member of St Paul's Church on Glegg Street, and was also active in the Macclesfield guiding community, who were like a second family to her.

Kelly's chosen charity, Huntington's Disease Association, have been contacted for comment.

Kelly will take on the Welsh mountain in May.

You can donate to Kelly's cause here.

You can also learn more about Huntington's disease here.

UPDATE: 2.5.22 Kelly has now passed the £300 target. Donate here.

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