I HAVE EXCEED MY TARGET OF £1,000 - MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE SPONSORED ME!!! I WILL BE HAVING MY HAIR CUT ON THURS 30th JUNE

I AM STILL TAKING DONATIONS, I ONLY SET THE FIGURE AS A BENCHMARK, BUT THIS IS A WORTHWHILE CHARITY SO THE MORE RAISED THE MORE OF AN IMPACT IT WILL MAKE

 

Our Story

My son Matthew looks and acts like any normal 6 month old child. He laughs, smiles and cries just like the rest of them. Unfortunately, Matthew is different to the others, he has a rare genetic condition called Hyperphenylalaninemia, a form of Phenylketonuria (PKU).

PKU is a genetic disorder(a disease a person is born with) where a person's body cannot break down an amino acid called phenylalanine. Amino acids are necessary to make proteins, which is what the human body is made out of. Phenylalanine only comes from the food we eat; our bodies do not make any by themselves. Since its discovery there have been many advances in its treatment. It can now be successfully managed by the patient under ongoing medical supervision to avoid the more serious side-effects. If, however, the condition is left untreated, it can cause problems with brain development, leading to progressive mental retardation, brain damage and seizures.

The GEM Appeal is a charity which supports the Willink Unit at the Manchester Children's Hospital, which specialises and supports patients with genetic conditions.

I am looking to raise £1,000 for this charity and when I reach this figure, I will shave off my beloved long hair and beard.

Please give generously, I know that we are in a recession, but this is for a charity that really does make a difference to children and their families living with genetic disorders.

Many Thanks

Tony