In celebration of turning 13, I’m taking on a challenge to cycle 46 miles in the Tour de Môn to raise money for PANS PANDAS UK.

My younger brother Archie has PANS/PANDAS. It’s a condition that a lot of people, including many health professionals haven’t heard of. It can change a child very suddenly and it’s had a big impact on Archie's life and our family.

The Tour de Môn will take place on the 4th anniversary of Archie first becoming unwell and being in hospital. Archie developed PANS/PANDAS after contracting Covid. I’ve helped him when things have been really tough, and I’m one of the people who helps him regulate and get through it. It's really important that people understand this condition properly as with the right diagnosis and treatment families don't have to go through this.

A lot of the difficulty isn’t just the illness itself, but the lack of awareness. It can take a long time just to get anyone to understand what’s going on and get the right treatment or support.

That’s why I wanted to do this challenge. Not just to raise money, but to help raise awareness so other families don’t go through the same struggle.

PANS PANDAS UK is the only UK charity supporting families affected by these conditions. They work to raise awareness, support research, and help families get the understanding and care they need. They have really helped my family.

If you’re able to donate, even a small amount, it would mean a lot to me and really help support families like ours. It will also help keep me going through my training and the 46-mile ride.

I will be cycling with my Dad (David) a

nd I want to say thank you to Bella and Lyle for helping me train.

Thank you for reading and for any support you can give.

For more information, visit www.panspandas.org.uk