Hello. I'm Daniel and my story tells of how mito has impacted my family and how "stroke-like episodes" affected me from an early age.
My nan didn’t have good health and we suspect had a form of mitochondrial disease called MIDD, but she was never tested. Her children in turn started with health issues and my aunt died aged just 46 when I was around 7. This led to testing for my mum and uncle. They were both confirmed to have mito when I was around 8 or 9.
It was MELAS (Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like episodes), a form of mitochondrial disease that’s passed on maternally through the mitochondrial DNA.
The Oxford specialist clinic at the time didn’t test children, but I was able to consent to testing when I was 16. I was found to have MELAS with 72% faulty mitochondria, my sister 2%. Essentially, the percentage determines the severity.
It wasn’t a shock, in that I’d been symptomatic. At 4, I’d had my first stroke-like episode and was unable to move my legs for 3 weeks, and a second in 2018 which brought a permanent loss of feeling in my right leg below the knee and right sided weakness generally as well as memory loss. Along with the fatigue, pain and muscle cramps that come with mito I had to stop work. I’d been struggling already to cope with 12-hour shifts as Health Care Assistant and visiting mum who was by then very poorly.
Sadly, mum died in April 2019, aged 52. It was a very difficult time, however my friend Kay was my rock. Our friendship blossomed and we became a couple, married, and now have Georgina born in January 2022.
Having a little one keeps me busy! I also volunteer at our local library. I’m very keen to help raise awareness for mito and have done some fundraising for The Lily Foundation.
…and funds to bring hope for treatments and a cure for everyone who is impacted by mitochondrial disease.
Any support for my mission will be great – from a small donation to perhaps choosing Daniel’s Mito Mission as your local cause.
Any funds raised by Daniel’s mission goes to My Mito Mission’s
central funds to be granted towards research and support projects
to benefit everyone affected by mito.
Spreading the word, following, sharing, as well as donating and raising funds are all really helpful and valued. From running a race to holding a bake sale, hosting a collecting can to giving out Daniel’s Mito Mission leaflets – there are so many ways in which you can get involved.
If you’d simply like to donate to Daniel’s mission, choose a way that suits you below.
Regular donations are the most powerful way to support our vital work, allowing us as a small, high-energy charity to plan and build from a strong foundation.
We need a 1000 strong team of amazing people to donate any amount from just £2 a month. 1000 is a lot, but – one by one – we know that we can reach it. Find out more here.
We’d love your support with our fundraising… and we can provide supporting materials. Just ask!
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