A young woman tragically died after a long battle with a debilitating disease which left her wheelchair bound and which went undiagnosed for the majority of her life.
Laura Hunt was just 24 when she sadly passed away from mitochondrial disease in June 2021.
The illness, known as mito, is an energy production illness where the ‘battery packs’ in our cells fail to produce enough energy and prompts the body to break down major organs, as reported by Cheshire Live.
Laura, from Northwich, found that she was 'increasingly bumping into things' when she reached school age, with her eyesight discovered to be 'really poor'.
As she got older, she found herself struggling physically, and by the age of 12 she needed to use a wheelchair on occasion for extended walking.
But Laura suffered from the horrific symptoms for several years without answers.
Tests were conducted to get to the bottom of Laura's health issues, but a breakthrough didn't come until 2018 after Laura started having major seizures on a trip to Cape Verdi.
Laura was in hospital for a six months before they were under control with medication, first abroad and then at home, with new blood tests later revealing she had a form of mitochondrial disease.
Sadly, Laura lost her battle with mito in June 2021, and now her friend Andrew John Baker from Congleton, is aiming to cycle 1,524 miles in tribute to Laura.
Andrew and Laura met around eight years ago at Wheelies Sports Club in Macclesfield which provides activities for people with a disability.
Although Andrew, who was born with cerebral palsy, struggles to walk unaided, he can cycle independently on a spin bike indoors, and outdoors on a recumbent bike. He has previously cycled 1,000 miles in stages.
For his cycle for Laura, has chosen to ride half as many miles again. He has also added one year for every year of Laura’s life and so aims to cycle 1,524 miles.
Andrew said: "This is a big challenge for me and will take over 70 sessions of twenty or so miles which I hope I can complete within the year.
"I want to raise awareness for mitochondrial disease in Laura’s honour, and get sponsorship too so that I can also raise funds for research.
"I’m just past the 300 miles mark and I am determined to finish. Laura’s my inspiration. Despite her difficulties, her smile lit up the room and I miss her very much."
‘Laura’s Mito Mission’ is run by her family to raise awareness, funds and hopes of treatments and a cure for everyone affected by mitochondrial disease.
To sponsor Andrew on his cycling challenge please click here.
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