News from Stalbanobserver.co.uk  June 22, 2007

Fete in aid of disease
By Alex Lewis
A SCHOOLGIRL with a rare condition that severely restricts her diet raised hundreds of pounds by holding a fete in her back garden on Saturday.
Because of her hereditary disease PKU (phenylketonuria), Georgia Willits, eight, would risk serious damage to her brain if she ever strayed from her strict regime and can only eat nine grammes of protein a day.
However that did not stop her raising £600 for the National Society for Phenylketonuria, which supports sufferers and their families.
More than 60 visitors visited the fete in Morton End Lane, Harpenden enjoying games, stalls, a bouncy castle, a toy sale, a basketball competition and a barbecue.
Georgia's mother Judy said: "She has to have a lot of food on prescription. It has a major impact on her social life.
"Everything has to be weighed and measured.
"If she is going to friends' homes to tea, for parties, or going out for the day she always has to take food with her.
"She watches friends tucking in to whatever they want and she just can't.
"If she had not been diagnosed at an early age she would be severely mentally impaired.
"It is difficult to live with, and throws up a lot of challenges.
"Georgia has to have a special powder supplement which tastes absolutely disgusting - a mixture of iron filings and vinegar."
Speaking about the event Ms Willits added: "Despite the rain, it was a really good afternoon.
"Georgia made a little speech and thanked everybody for coming."
Also enjoying Georgia's fete was an eight-year-old friend shares her condition, Conor Heaney of Kinsborne Green.
 

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