PIDs stands for primary immunodeficiencies. People affected by PIDs, of which there are many, have parts of their immune systems missing or not working. It is a genetic disorder and can be passed on from one generation to the next.

C8 deficiency is a very rare PID in which the immune system has no natural defence against encapsulated bacteria and causes a significantly increased risk of recurrent bacterial infections. 

This was diagnosed in my family in 2011 when my daughter was seriously ill and on life support with Neisseria meningitidis. She made a full recovery but this resulted in family genetic testing when 3 of my 4 children were found to have no C8 gene.They require intravenous antibiotics within an hour of falling ill with these encapsulated infections. They are dependant on life long antibiotics to give them time to reach hospital and be treated.

The funds raised will be donated to PID UK, an organisation which supports families with PIDs. I have requested that it be used to fund research into C8 deficiency.