Evelyn signed up for Move 5 so other kids can get help from EOS like her little brother Ezra.
Ezra has had eczema since he was just four months old and get so sore and itchy that his skin cracks and bleeds and he struggles to sleep with the pain. The three-year-old has even been hospitalised with a skin infection and dehydration due to eczema. His sleep is often disturbed and he has to sleep in scratch mitts to stop him breaking his skin in his sleep.
Ezra joined EOS when he was two after his mama Jaidene found the charity online. He received a welcome pack full of information, toys and a book and Jaidene was put in touch with family worker Lynne.
Jaidene said: “We were really struggling. Ezra’s skin was just awful, I could hardly bear to look at him as he looked in so much pain and I felt totally helpless that I couldn’t make it go away.
“The GP were just throwing creams at us that didn’t work and I felt totally alone. Like I was the only parent dealing with this. I found EOS while desperately looking for help and it was incredible. I cried when the welcome pack arrived then I spoke to family worker Lynne and cried some more. It felt like finally I had someone that understood and was in my corner.
“When we were eventually referred to dermatology Lynne gave me the information and support to go in and not be fobbed off but to stand up for what we wanted.”
Ezra’s skin is gradually improving and the family wanted to give back to EOS.
Evelyn (6) decided she wanted to fundraise and make sure other children can access the support from EOS.
Evelyn said: “I went through the welcome pack with Ezra and mum and it was great. We love the Itchysaurus book and Ezra got fidget toys to stop him from scratching.
“I wanted to raise money for EOS so that other boys and girls can get welcome packs too.”
The family are taking part in Move 5 from October 1-10. The fundraising campaign will see families from all over the UK carry out a challenge to raise money for EOS. You can choose any moving challenge that suits you from swimming five lengths in the pool to scoring five basketball hoops in a row.
Evelyn is going to walk for EOS and is thinking of doing 1km walk every day for five days.
CEO of EOS Suzi Holland said: “EOS receives no NHS or government funding and we rely on members and supporters to fundraise so we can continue to support over 4000 families across the UK.
“We hope as many members as possible sign up for Move 5 and make it our biggest fundraiser yet. You can do any challenge you like, from running to walking to hula hooping. Setting up a Just Giving page is easy and every penny you raise with your challenge will go to helping children and young people with eczema and their families.”