Annabelle’s Challenge Charity Bring Santa to Bury

CHARITY Annabelle’s Challenge are bringing Santa to the Bolholt Hotel in Bury.

Vascular Ehlers-Dalos (Vascular EDS) charity Annabelle’s Challenge are bring Santa to the Bolholt Hotel in Bury.

Vascular EDS is a rare syndrome and life threatening genetics disorder. Annabelle’s Challenge is the leading charity for Vascular EDS in the UK and they provide support globally.

Annabelle was diagnosed with a life threatening condition called Vascular EDS back in December 2012.

Jared Griffin, founder of Annabelle’s Challenge and father to Annabelle explained,”Annabelle was diagnosed just a week before Christmas with a very rare condition with very little known about it.

“So we started Annabelle’s Challenge which quickly, over a period of time grew to where we are today”.

Jared told us that their aim as a charity is, “to raise awareness of Vascular Ehlers-Dalos amongst the general public and medical professionals.

“We want to raise awareness of the condition because it is so rare and will help to stop people from being under diagnosed or misdiagnosed.

“We provide support to patients who are affected by the condition and provide free advice with our helpline”.

Lunch with Santa is just one of many events that Annabelle’s Challenge have held and are holding throughout the years.

It will be held at the Bolholt Hotel on Sunday 17th December, 1pm until 4pm and tickets cost £9.39.

Jared told us, “Lunch with Santa is an opportunity we are taking over the Christmas period to have guests attend the Bolholt Hotel to have lunch with Santa.

“There will be fun and games with a DJ/entertainer, hot and cold buffet, face painting and a chance to raise awareness for what we do as a charity”.

Vascular EDS is estimated to affect 1/50,000 to 1/200,000 people and the list of symptoms is very large, starting with small earlobes, prominent eyes, small chin, narrow nose and thin lips.

Jared urges anybody who is concerned for themselves or a loved one to contact the charity.

“If you are concerned about it for yourself or a loved one that has got the condition get in touch with us on our free phone help line, visit our website at www.annabelleschallenge.org.

“Please do get in touch with us, we can talk you through it and we can help you.

“We have a great support team with the national diagnostics service and the NHS, so between us we can give you that support”.

If you would like to contact Annabelle’s Challenge, ring their freephone helpline on 0800 917 8495.