Dear Friends and Family

In order to celebrate my bar mitzvah I have decided to take part in the Bnei Mitzvah challenge. 

This involves spending three days trekking in the Lake District where I will attempt to hike up both Hellvelyn and St Sunday Crag.

The reason for my decision to take part is in trek is based on the charity that I am raising money for, the Gaucher Association (www.gaucher.org.uk). This charity supports individuals and families that suffer from Gaucher disease. 

Gaucher’s disease is a little known genetic disorder that only effects 6,000 people worldwide.

There are three types of Gaucher disease.  The most common forms of Gaucher disease (Type 1) affects 1 in 100,000 of the general population but 1 in 850 of Jewish (Ashkenazi) descent, although not all those who inherit the mutated genes for this disorder will show symptoms

In the rarer Neuronopathic (Type 2 and Type 3) Gaucher disease, neurological symptoms occur which include an eye movement disorder, fits, loss of skills and a central auditory processing disorder. Children with Type 2 Disease die within one or two years of birth.

This disorder directly effects my immediate family hence I am asking people to be particularly generous.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and I would really appreciate your help on this one.

Alex Bloom