Kim Wilde presents Radio 4 Appeal for Ataxia

In the appeal, which was pre-recorded, Kim tells the story of her childhood friend Ruth Shearman, who was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia when she was 16, and passed away twenty years later. In the years in between, she suffered from this rare and incurable disease.

Ataxia UK is the largest national medical research charity dedicated to supporting people affected by ataxia. Ataxia UK funds research and provides support through its Helpline and Advocacy services, dedicated Ataxia Centres in national hospitals in London, Sheffield and Oxford, a national network of Branch and Support Groups, free membership, provision of up-to-date information and conferences.

To listen to the appeal and to find information about donating, go to this page on the BBC Radio 4 website.