Six-year-old Felix from Exeter, who experienced severe eczema from a very young age, is taking on a sporty challenge to raise money for the charity that has been a ‘wonderful source of support’ for his family.
Felix is taking part in Eczema Outreach Support’s Move 5 fundraising challenge. He will cycle 5 miles on 12th October and has already raised £250.
Eczema can be a debilitating condition, the impacts of which are rarely understood by those who haven’t experienced it, including disturbed sleep, painful itching, bleeding skin and infections. Waiting lists for dermatologists can be lengthy and treatments can be time-consuming and prolonged.
Felix and his family came to an Eczema Outreach Support event earlier this year, where they got the chance to meet other families struggling with eczema and ask questions to a dermatology professional.
Mum Clare said: “The event was lovely; it meant a lot to meet other families going through similar experiences and hearing things that have helped them or ways they distract their child from the itch.
“Felix got a lot from the event but my husband and I also felt really supported. Felix loved the welcome pack we received when we joined Eczema Outreach Support and said he wanted to make sure other children could get help.
“He is an outdoorsy child and being active seems to help take his mind off the itching so he decided to do Move 5. He got a new bike for his 6th birthday and is going to do a five-mile cycle. It’s a challenge but he’s great on wheels and we know he will complete it.”
Felix’s mum Clare is an illustrator and drew this amazing illustration of Felix’s challenge
Eczema Outreach Support is free to join and offers support and advice for children and young people (and their carers) with eczema. They host virtual and in-person events, webinars with dermatologists and carry out school workshops to help peers become a better friend to someone with eczema.
CEO of Eczema Outreach Support, Suzi Holland, said the charity was grateful for Felix and the other families taking part in Move 5.
“A huge thank you to Felix for putting in the effort and taking part in Move 5. We are so grateful for our members and supporters that fundraise for EOS.
“Funding is becoming increasingly difficult to secure and we rely on fundraisers more and more so we can continue to help over 4000 families across the UK.”
Felix’s challenge will help raise funds to support families who experience this difficult and sometimes life changing condition. You can support Felix by contributing to his fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/felix-cycles
