A woman is planning to walk 100km in under 24 hours to raise awareness for a condition she has had for over 13 years.

Elissia Powell, 29, is planning to raise the money and awareness for the Sheffield Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SHASBAH).

SHASBAH is a charity that works to help children and adults with Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida.

Elissia Powell, from Firth Park, has had Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus since she was 13 years old and has had a VP shunt in ever since then. Since her first diagnosis she has had multiple surgeries for blocked shunts and wanted to raise money.

Mrs Powell, from Sheffield, said: “I myself have got Hydrocephalus and have had multiple surgeries for this, so I am wanting to raise awareness of this important issue.

“I came up with the idea after I saw someone do something similar on social media and I also am planning to do bake sales and possible raffles to raise as much money as possible.”

Hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder caused by an abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain which causes pressure within the brain. Spina Bifida is when a baby’s spine and spinal cord does not develop properly in the womb causing a gap in the spine.

A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) is a cerebral shunt that is placed in the spine to drain spinal fluid when there is an obstruction to the absorption of fluid and is used to treat Hydrocephalus.

The Barnsley NHS Foundation Trust employee said: “I am aiming to walk as close to 24 hours as possible with my dad and his friend and some other members of family are joining parts of the walk with us.”

The walk is set to take place on May 25 next year and will start from Barnsley to Middleham in North Yorkshire with a current goal of raising £2,500 for the charity.

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