It is truly terrifying and isolating when your child starts to change inexplicably in front of your eyes and becomes completely unrecognisable from the person you have always known - and when doctors and the medical profession don’t seem to know what the problem is, and are unable to explain what is happening. This was us two years ago.

Before our son was diagnosed with PANS PANDAS, we endured months of hell, in what felt at times like some form of parenting upside down, trying to determine why our son had – in the space of a few weeks – changed completely and was suddenly experiencing extreme and crippling anxiety, tics, OCD and at times, paranoia, to the degree that he missed a term of school and couldn't leave the house.

After quite the journey (massive understatement), our lovely boy finally returned. This was after we, largely due to the relentless perseverance and determination of my wife Kate, managed to find the right help and medication, and after being diagnosed with PANS PANDAS.

In reasonably simple terms, PANS PANDAS are complex autoimmune conditions. PANDAS occurs when a common strep infection triggers an autoimmune response, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks part of the brain, leading to inflammation that affects thoughts, behaviour and movement. PANS is similar but the trigger is different; for our son, the trigger was Covid and Mycoplasma.

Two years on, there have been bumps in the road and through this process, which is on-going, what we have realised is how little is known about this condition in the UK (countries like the US and Italy are more advanced) and how little we really know about the immune system and the brain – and what can happen.

PANS PANDAS UK are the UK’s only charity supporting families living with the neuropsychiatric conditions PANS and PANDAS. As above, and in line with our experience, these conditions often develop suddenly, sometimes literally overnight, and can be both devastating and frightening. This charity is working to build a future where every family living with PANS or PANDAS can access the right care pathway, treatment and support straightaway and when they need it most.

They are a small charity and need funding, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to support them: on Father’s Day (21st of June) I will be taking part in the London to Brighton bike ride (yes – cycling again!) in one of their designated spots, to raise vital funds. Please support me if you can – any donation would be massively appreciated. Thank you

For more information please visit the website www.panspandas.org.uk