THE sister of a woman diagnosed with a rare brain condition is raising money for research into the illness.

Eva Emmett, who lives in Sorrel Road, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, has organised a charity event to raise funds for the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Association (PSPA) after her sister Susan Inness was told she has the illness.

It is a rare condition affecting six in 10,000 people and there is no effective cure.

Mrs Emmett, 69, said: “I decided it would be a good idea to help people with PSP because there is no effective cure or treatment for it.

“The association relies on volunteer donations and we hope to raise more than £2,000 from the event.”

She has organised a fundraising event at the Rose Hill Community centre tomorrow to include a 12-hour darts marathon, an Aunt Sally competition, a raffle and disco.

Mrs Emmett added: “My sister was diagnosed six months ago and it has been horrible. She has problems walking and swallowing her food and drink.”

Mrs Inness said she was grateful to her sister for organising the event and said she hoped to attend some of the disco.

The 63-year-old, who worked at Sainsbury’s in Heyford Hill before she became ill, said: “I am very pleased it is being organised for the PSPA.

“It means a great deal to me that my sister has done it as she knows what I am going through.”

She added: “My husband Bert, who I have been married to for 40 years, has become my carer and has to wash me and take care of me.”

The grandmother of eight, who has two sons, Paul, 41, who lives in Abingdon, and Darren, 40, from Bicester, said the condition had brought her closer to her children and they visited her regularly.

The darts marathon starts at 8am tomorrow.

PSP FACTFILE

  • According to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Association, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is caused by the steady death of nerve cells in the brain, leading to difficulty with balance, movement, vision, speech and swallowing.
  • It is associated with an over production of a protein called tau in certain areas of the brain.
  • PSP is a rare condition, research suggests about 4,000 in the UK have the condition, but it is not believed to be hereditary.
  • Early symptoms may include loss of balance and unexpected falls — usually backwards, stiffness and eye problems.
  • Some people can experience behavioural changes such as depression, apathy and clumsiness.