A CONONLEY woman whose husband has a rare degenerative brain disorder is backing efforts to raise awareness of the disease.

Alan Parker, who is 76, was diagnosed with Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in 2020, since when his condition has steadily declined.

Now Ruth, his wife of 43 years, is supporting a campaign to help a specialist UK neurologist set up a dedicated website for sufferers, carers and health professionals.

Alan was a successful financial specialist and business consultant, working for a number of companies – including undertaking many contracts overseas – before starting his own firm.

Soon after the couple – originally from Halifax – moved to Cononley in 1999, Alan became village correspondent for the Keighley News and sister title the Craven Herald.

He joined the parish council in 2007, but resigned five years ago when he began to experience cognitive difficulties.

Alan was subsequently diagnosed with Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, which is commonly known as CAA.

An accumulation of Amyloid protein within the blood vessels of the brain causes them to become fragile, which then leads to bleeds, resulting in brain damage.

Ruth says: "Patients experience a cognitive decline affecting speech, memory and the processing of information, but not their awareness of what is happening to them. This is a cruel disease, for which there is very little research or support, even internationally. There is no known treatment or cure.

"A couple of years ago, a lady called Angela Higginbottom – who cares for her husband, a CAA sufferer – founded a Facebook page for sufferers and carers to share information and provide mutual support.

"Currently it offers the only specific support and information available to sufferers and carers in the UK, and also attracts members from across the world.

"Professor David Werring, who is based at University College Hospital London and is the only neurologist in the UK to have a specialist interest in the condition, has promised to set up a CAA-specific website at the teaching hospital if a Just Giving page launched by the Facebook group can raise the money that's needed to fund it.

"This website would provide information and support to those living with the disease, their carers and health professionals.

"Whilst there is no cure or treatment in sight, this website could make a huge difference and raise awareness of this devastating disease."

For further information about the campaign and the condition, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cerebral-amyloid-angiopathy.