Family of Clarets fan and accountant who died of rare neurological condition raise thousands in his memory
The family of a former Clarets fan and well known businessman have raised thousands of pounds for charity in his memory.
Christopher Ridehalgh died in 2024, just four months after he was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare neurological condition caused by the loss of nerve cells in specific parts of the brain. The diagnosis followed years of worrying symptoms, including coordination problems, apathy, cognitive changes, speech difficulties and frequent falls.
Colne born Christopher became a chartered accountant after leaving Burnley Grammar School. He then went on to form Ainsworth’s Accountants in Nelson with Mike Ainsworth and Terry McMahon. The company is still going today and donated £430 to the charity. Christopher, who was 78, loved sports and walking.
It took some time for the family to process and adjust to their loss, but Christopher’s son Christian always knew he wanted to do something in his memory. He said: “Dad’s condition and his fast decline was a shock to us all. But I knew I wanted to do something for Dad and a trek made sense as he loved walking. And I chose the Gower Peninsula because our last family holiday took place there, before all the symptoms began to take hold. It was a very personal and poignant challenge.”
Christian, who has raised £6,992, was joined by a group of family and friends, for the 43 mile trek which was part of the charity Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Association’s Pathway to Progress, a UK-wide virtual challenge event where participants’ collective distances walked, run, or cycled will be logged to try to create a pathway around Great Britain’s Coastline. PSPA is the only UK charity dedicated to creating a better future for everyone affected by Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration.
Christian hopes his family’s experience will shine a light on these little‑known conditions, for which there is no treatment or cure.
He said: ““My sister, brother-in-law, nephew and a few close family friends all joined me as we stepped out in Dad’s name. As well as taking the time and space to remember the good times as we walked, I also hope this will raise awareness of PSP so that more people know what to look out for.”
If you would like to donate to the challenge, please click HERE