Annie was born healthy and developed normally until about 12mths. Soon after her first birthday we became concerned as she was showing no signs of crawling or walking and she wasn't hitting her milestones in other areas too. We were referred for physio at the hospital as it appeared she had hypermobility. After further investigations from numerous professionals over a period of a year, we had the most devastating news on the 4th Dec 2014 that Annie had Rett Syndrome.

This is a rare genetic neurological disorder that happens randomly and affects about 1 in 12,000 girls. It causes many problems with communication as many girls cannot walk, talk or use their hands to communicate. They can need 24 hr care for most of their lives. 

Annie's daddy Stephen Smart and a family friend Rich Thornewill are running the London Marathon in April 2015 to raise money for Rett UK, who look at researching treatments to hopefully one day provide a cure. Any additional money raised will go towards special equipment Annie may need in the future. 

Please dig deep and help us help the amazing little Annie and others like her.