Gracie (10) from Halifax developed severe eczema when she just a few months old. The condition would cause her skin to flare up, cause intense itching and make sleeping almost impossible.  

Mum Beth, an early years professional, said: “Since she was diagnosed it has been a uphill battle. When she was a baby her skin was awful, so sore looking and she wouldn’t be able to sleep for itching.  

“As soon as she could control her hands, she started itching and would scratch until her skin broke and bled. As a parent I felt totally helpless and found it difficult to access the right skin advice and support.”  

Gracie’s skin improved when she was a toddler thanks to finding a skin care routine that worked. But by the time Covid came and healthcare was difficult to access, her skin broke out again.  

Beth said: “During Covid her skin became unmanage again and the routine we had in place stopped working. It was so stressful as we couldn’t get doctor appointments easily and the whole family was struggling.”  

The family found out about Eczema Outreach Support, a UK wide charity to help children and young people with eczema and their families.  

They became members and Gracie got a workshop at her primary school to educate her classmates on eczema and how it can feel.  

She also attends online meet ups with other kids with severe eczema and Beth attended a webinar with a dermatologist to pick up tips on how to care for eczema.  

Now Beth and Gracie will take part in Move 5, on a five day long fundraising challenge for Eczema Outreach Support from October 1-10. The challenge will see them do football skills, basketball, cricket, bike and do work in the gym – even taking part during Gracie’s birthday on October 3.  

Beth said: “Eczema Outreach Support has been such a great source of support for us, we have learned a lot and felt we weren’t alone in dealing with this. 

“We have benefited so much from the charity so we wanted to give back and make sure more families can access the amazing support we have.”  

CEO of Eczema Outreach Support, Suzi Holland said the charity was grateful for Beth and the other families taking part in Move 5.   

“A huge thank you to Gracie and Beth for putting in the effort and taking part in Move 5, even over Gracie’s birthday. 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.”  

You can sponsor Gracie and Beth here.  

For more information on Eczema Outreach Support and to join for free, visit here.