![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_RTP_SDR_071025_Mark_Barrett_019JPG.jpg\")
Mark Barrett with his late dad Frank, a popular Glasgow bookie who died after a battle with Huntington’s(Image: DAILY RECORD)<\/p>\nMark Barrett, from Howwood Renfrewshire, lost his dad – a popular Glasgow bookie – his grandfather and uncle to Huntington’s disease.Mark Barrett with his late dad Frank, a popular Glasgow bookie who died after a battle with Huntington’s(Image: DAILY RECORD)<\/p>\n
A dad whose family has been plagued by Huntington\u2019s disease<\/a> is on a mission to help break the stigma of the \u201ccruel\u201d illness.<\/p>\n Mark Barrett, from Howwood<\/a> Renfrewshire, lost his dad – a popular Glasgow<\/a> bookie – his grandfather and uncle to the disease, an inherited faulty gene that damages the brain.<\/p>\n The 38-year-old dad-of-two is in the middle of a gruelling attempt to raise awareness – taking on four half marathons and a triathlon in a matter of weeks – after medics revealed a breakthrough had allowed them to successfully treat the disease for the first time.<\/p>\n Mark, a business owner and actor who has worked alongside stars like Robert Carlyle and James McAvoy, said he wants to help ease the pain of other families after losing dad, Frank, whose Maryhill betting shop featured in Trainspotting and Still Game.<\/p>\n His challenge – covering over 100km in nine weeks – has also been backed by author Irvine Welsh.<\/p>\n Mark said: \u201cI\u2019ve grown up around Huntington\u2019s all my life.<\/p>\n \u201cMy uncle Raymond died when I was four or five. He was just 33 and in the early 90s it was largely an ignored illness.<\/p>\n \u201cI had never met my grandfather John, who died in his 60s. But in July 2021 we lost my dad under the most cruel circumstances.<\/p>\n \u201cNot just because of the disease, but because it came at a time through Covid when we weren\u2019t allowed to see him. He was taken away from us and we were very limited in our visiting hours and time to spend with him.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to help families affected because I know how crippling and how cruel it can be in all areas of life.\u201d<\/p>\n The disease can affect a sufferers\u2019 ability to walk, talk, eat, drink and care for themselves.<\/p>\n Frank began to experience symptoms late into his 60s and would sometimes have difficulty walking.<\/p>\n Mark said he wishes he could have been more transparent with those who asked about what his dad was experiencing.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cHis tagline was \u2018Glasgow\u2019s biggest bookie\u2019. That had a lot to do with the fact he was 6ft 2in. But there were three or four big names in Glasgow and Frank Barrett was one of the biggest.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was a larger than life character and well respected and liked in lots of different circles.<\/p>\n \u201cAround the late 90s his shop became infamous as it was used in Trainspotting, in the scene where Renton runs in at the start.<\/p>\n \u201cThe last few years of his life we noticed a decline physically and cognitively and sadly, on my mum and dad\u2019s wedding anniversary, my mum left the home and he died in my arms the next day.\u201d<\/p>\n Anyone with a parent who has Huntington\u2019s has a 50% risk of inheriting the condition from them.<\/p>\n Mark says he has no desire to know if he is carrying the gene that has devastated his family.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIf it comes back positive then we will forever live in the shadow of this. But you can test positive and never be affected by it.<\/p>\n \u201cFor every family affected its entirely personal to their position. I haven\u2019t been tested and I don\u2019t intend to.\u201d<\/p>\n Mark completed the Great Scottish Run on October 4 and the MacQueen Bros Mid Argyle Triathlon on September 28 – finishing in the top six.<\/p>\n He is now gearing up for the Bellahouston Half Marathon, Strathclyde Country Park Half Marathon and a Movember Half Marathon, aiming to complete his challenge on November 23.<\/p>\n He has so far raised more than \u00a33,000 for Scottish Huntington\u2019s Association.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cI\u2019m doing this to help other families affected because I know how incredibly lonely and frightening it can be.<\/p>\n \u201cThere can be a misconception of what the illness can do. That\u2019s the nature of it because there are so many different facets of the symptoms.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to talk about it. We spent a long time trying to protect my dad.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a taboo subject. It\u2019s something that unfortunately isn\u2019t going away whether you talk about it or not. \u201c<\/p>\n Mark was overjoyed after the revelation last month that data around a new gene therapy given during delicate brain surgery indicated the disease had been slowed by 75% in patients.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cI would like to see the money raised go into both research and family support. While research is hugely helpful it\u2019s also important for families to have the safest environment around them for people needing end of life care or support.\u201d<\/p>\n Mark, who runs his own industrial cleaning firm, once stepped into the role of Robert Carlyle when the Trainspotting star was directing a movie he was also starring in, The Legend of Barney Thomson, helping him set the scene with big name stars like Emma Thompson and Ray Winstone before takes.<\/p>\n His acting background helped his charity mission grab the attention of writer Welsh.<\/p>\n Mark said: \u201cIrvine Welsh got in touch and shared my story on his page, which was incredible overwhelming. I\u2019m so grateful for all the support I\u2019ve had so far.\u201d<\/p>\n The dad is now hoping to double his initial target of \u00a32,500 target and is considering a further challenge.<\/p>\n Scottish Huntington\u2019s Association Chief Executive Alistair Haw: \u201cThis is a hugely challenging time for the charity sector, which is why we are especially grateful to Mark for his fantastic efforts to raise funding for our cause.<\/p>\n \u201cLast month we heard the wonderful news that the first treatments for Huntington\u2019s disease may be appearing on the horizon. This will require more capacity in the health and social care system to cope with the demand.<\/p>\n \u201cSadly, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership is planning to become the first area in history to defund our Huntington\u2019s Disease Specialist Service. This was always an ill-conceived false economy, but in light of the recent research breakthrough it\u2019s clear that this plan is exactly the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time.<\/p>\n \u201cA majority of eligible MSPs of all parties are calling for a rethink. We call on Glasgow City HSCP to listen and ensure that common sense prevails, and thank Mark once again for what he is doing to raise both the profile and of, and funding for, our cause.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_RTP_SDR_071025_Mark_Barrett_011.jpg\")
Mark is in the middle of a gruelling challenge(Image: DAILY RECORD)<\/p>\n![\"Glasgow](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_RTP_SDR_071025_Mark_Barrett_020JPG.jpg\")
Glasgow bookie Frank Barrett suffered from Huntington’s(Image: DAILY RECORD)<\/p>\n![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_RTP_SDR_071025_Mark_Barrett_016JPG.jpg\")
Mark has completed the Edinburgh half marathon(Image: DAILY RECORD)<\/p>\n![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_RTP_SDR_071025_Mark_Barrett_021JPG.jpg\")
Mark as a child with dad Frank(Image: DAILY RECORD)<\/p>\n