My dear friends, Laura and Michael Fry have a beautiful son called Freddie who is now nearly 4. Freddie loves painting, Batman, jelly babies and dressing up. He is a gentle soul with a cheeky sense of humour. He brightens their every day with his incessant questions and gorgeous grin. They are so very proud of their loving, caring son.

Freddie also has Neurofibromatosis 1, a genetic condition which affects 1 in every 2,500 people. NF causes tumours to grow anywhere in or on the body. Every day a baby in the UK is born with the condition, making it more prevalent than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntingdon's Disease combined.

For years, Neurofibromatosis was wrongly associated with the condition of the 'Elephant Man,' as it is frequently stereotyped, misunderstood and unheard of. For parents of children facing a future with NF it is time to spread awareness of the condition. 

There is no cure. Many of those with NF can have multiple medical, physical and psychological complications including tumours, learning difficulties and speech problems.

Despite its prevalence, so many people have not heard of NF until it enters their lives in some way.  Laura and Michael saw a Health Visitor, 2 GPs and a paediatrician before someone recognised Freddie's symptoms and didn't dismiss them as birth marks. Their story is not unusual.

The Neuro Foundation raises money for research into this lesser known disease and, by donating,  you are giving children like Freddie hope for the future.

If I can get 80 friends to donate just £10, I can reach the target needed.

Please consider offering a small donation to this very worthy cause.