Northwich girl, 12, walking 100 miles for the Walton Centre

Kitty Clarke-Oakes, 12, is walking 100 miles throughout May to raise money for the Walton Centre.

The hospital has been a lifeline for her mum, Anna, who suffers from chronic refractory intractable migraine, an incurable neurological condition.

“Kitty has seen how challenging life can be for someone living with a chronic illness and has also seen the amazing work the Walton Centre does for people with different types of neurological conditions,” Anna said.

“We are so proud of her every day and are especially proud she is taking on this challenge as we know that she’s not a lover of walking.

“Kitty is such a thoughtful and caring girl and always goes out of her way to help other people.

“She is an incredible support to me and thinks nothing of leading the way when she sees somebody who may need help or encouragement.”

Kitty added: “I really hope I can help the Walton Centre by doing this because they deserve it because they help people like my mum.  

“I hope that I can raise enough money to make a difference."

Kitty Clarke-Oakes (Image: Supplied)

Anna, now 43, first noticed the condition in her teens but assumed it was just a 'typical migraine'.

Headaches became a daily occurrence after she finished school and by her mid-20s this had evolved into chronic migraines.

Her 24/7 condition is intractable, meaning it is hard to control, and refractory, meaning Anna doesn’t respond to preventative medication.

She began receiving care from the Walton Centre while pregnant with Kitty in 2011.

Anna said: “People think that a migraine is a bad headache that goes away after some paracetamol and a lie down in a dark room but when it is chronic it can destroy lives as the daily attacks and symptoms interfere with every aspect of yours and your family’s life.

“I have been in constant pain since 2004 and affected by many other symptoms such as light and sound sensitivity, dizziness, fatigue, muscular pain, digestive problems, sleep disturbance, aura symptoms, visual and hearing disturbances and many others.

“I’ve often said that if I didn’t have this disorder myself I would never believe how bad it could be.

“The Walton Centre is fantastic and the neurology team truly understands how disruptive this condition is.”

Anna uses a combination of Botox and steroidal nerve blocks, delivered via 36 injections every 12 weeks, to help lower the frequency of the most severe attacks, known as status migrainosus.

In the instances when she does suffer such an attack, she may have to spend a week in hospital to get it under control.

 It isn’t just the support of the Walton Centre Anna relies upon.

“Kitty is incredible at understanding what I need, and when I need it,” she said.

“Sometimes she will intuitively know my symptoms are becoming problematic and help me to medicate and access my ‘migraine tool kit’.

“If I’m non-functioning she will keep a check on me to make sure that I’m eating and drinking and assist me with the bathroom and dressing.

“Kitty never complains about plans being cancelled, about helping me around the house or that I can’t do some things that other parents can. She’s amazing!”

To find out more or support Kitty's fundraiser, visit her Just Giving page.