💙 Help us support children with Perthes disease and raise awareness! 💙

In October 2024, after developing an uncomfortable limp, my 8-year-old nephew Toby was diagnosed with Perthes disease, a rare childhood condition that affects the hip. Perthes occurs when the blood supply to the femoral head (hip bone) is temporarily disrupted, causing the bone to weaken, break down and die. Over time, the bone can reform, but the process can take several years and often involves major surgery, mobility restrictions and intensive rehabilitation.

Perthes disease has taken away Toby's ability to walk, run and play. Before diagnosis, Toby loved playing sports, going on family adventures and playing with his friends in the playground. Since diagnosis, Toby has been unable to bear weight on his right leg and in November 2024, underwent major surgery to help Toby's hip regrow in a better position. He will need further surgery and rehabilitation in the future.

Like many families facing Perthes disease, Toby’s parents felt completely lost—they knew very little about the condition before his diagnosis and didn’t know where to turn. In those difficult early days, they relied on communities like Steps Charity Worldwide for guidance, information, and support.

What Steps Charity Worldwide Does

Steps Charity Worldwide is a vital lifeline for families facing childhood lower limb conditions like Perthes disease.

Steps is the leading charity working for all those whose lives are affected by childhood lower limb conditions. Everything they do is about valuing and supporting individuals, families and carers affected by conditions which have an impact on the legs, hips or feet.

They are the only charity which supports the most common and much rarer lower limb conditions.

The charity:

✔️ Provides essential information and resources to families navigating complex diagnoses.

✔️ Offers emotional support and community connections so no family feels alone.

✔️ Raises awareness of rare conditions like Perthes, ensuring children get the right support.

✔️ Campaigns for better medical care and early diagnosis.

How You Can Help:

🏃‍♂️ Donate – Every contribution goes directly to Steps Charity Worldwide to help families like Toby’s.

🏃‍♂️ Share – Help us spread awareness of Perthes disease and Steps Charity.

🏃‍♂️ Support – Cheer me on as I take on my first-ever marathon for this incredible cause!

💙 Having Perthes disease has affected Toby physically and mentally, but his strength and resilience throughout his journey so far has inspired me to run my first ever marathon - the Belfast Marathon in 2025. This is a huge challenge, but I am determined to cross that finish line to raise funds for Steps and increase awareness of Perthes disease. It was only last summer when Toby ran 2km and 5km park runs with me. I will be thinking of him every step of the way 💙

📢 Donate today and help us make a difference!