REVERAND Bev Jameson is taking part in the Lymm Dam Run to help raise funds for a five-year-old member of her Sunday school with a rare genetic disorder.
Rev Bev, as she’s affectionately known, is Rector at St Mary’s and will be using Harvest and the run to raise funds and awareness of Phenylketonuria, which causes severe brain damage if left untreated but is completely treatable with a very restricted low protein diet.
Florence Barham, a member of St Mary’s Church Lymm’s Sunday School, suffers with the condition.
All money raised will go to The National Society for Phenylketonuria (NSPKU)
Rev Bev said: “Florence is a delightful, happy, bright little girl, but without a special diet, it could have been so very different for her. We give thanks to God at Harvest for our food and this year we thank God for the work of NSPKU who provide such support to those with PKU and their families.
“I really hope people give generously to NSPKU and support the Harvest Run …although after the first circuit it will be more of a walk. Do please come along to our Harvest Service and join us for a bring and share lunch afterwards.”
The PKU diet is low in protein meaning people with PKU cannot eat meat, fish, eggs, nuts, pulses, flour based foods. They can eat most fruit and vegetables supplemented with prescription foods such as low protein pasta and bread. They must also take a protein supplement which includes many vitamins and minerals. Staying on the diet is hard but very worthwhile to ensure the child’s brain develops properly. All babies are tested at birth with the heelprick test.
Florence’s parents Emma and James said: “This small charity is a lifeline for people with PKU and their families. The charity helps people through provision of dietary guides and resources, sending new foods for protein analysis and arranging events including the popular annual family conference.
“The NSPKU is often a lifeline in what at times can be a very socially isolating condition. We are so pleased our Rector, Rev Bev is supporting us in this way.”
St Mary’s informal family Harvest Service is 10.00am Sunday 30 September. People young and old can make bread, work out the seed quiz, grow water cress spines for Herbie the Hedgehog, enjoy songs as part of the service. There is a sensory fun area for little ones.
Directly after the service (around 11.00am to give her time to change) Rev Bev will run around Lymm Dam fives times, as Florence is five years old.
St Mary’s will be holding a bring and share lunch at the church after the Harvest Service. Everyone is warmly invited to join us for the informal fun Harvest Service and / or for the lunch (please bring some food to share) as we cheer Rev Bev round Lymm Dam. People are also welcome to join Rev Bev as she goes around Lymm Dam and to also raise funds for NSPKU.
All money raised will go to support The National Society for Phenylketonuria (NSPKU).
Donations can be made directly to the NSPKU bank account using the reference RevBev/Lymm to Account name:- NSPKU (UK) Ltd, Sort code:- 40-37-25 Account number:- 43952118
There will also be official collection tubs on the day and at St Mary’s Church. Please make cheques payable to NSPKU. Gift aid forms are also available at the church.
