My son will be six in January 2027. Like any little boy, he deserves a childhood filled with laughter, friendships, adventures and the freedom to simply be himself. But his childhood has been profoundly affected by a devastating and often misunderstood medical condition called PANS/PANDAS.

PANS/PANDAS is a condition in which the immune system triggers inflammation affecting the brain, leading to sudden and sometimes severe changes in a child's behaviour, emotions and neurological functioning.

For my son, the onset was frightening. Almost overnight, the little boy I knew began experiencing severe anxiety, obsessive and compulsive behaviours, involuntary tics, emotional distress and episodes of extreme dysregulation. Everyday activities that had once been simple became extraordinarily difficult.

One of the cruellest aspects of this illness is its unpredictable nature. With treatment, my son has experienced periods of remarkable improvement. During these times, he is a happy, affectionate, curious little boy who loves learning, exploring and making friends. But when his immune system is triggered, often by an ordinary infection or virus, his symptoms can return with devastating intensity.

During these episodes, he can become so unwell that attending school, enjoying activities or even leaving the house becomes impossible. Our lives can effectively come to a standstill.

As his mother, watching him experience this suffering, knowing how different his life can be when he is well, is heartbreaking.

Although my son has received a diagnosis from a specialist paediatrician, accessing appropriate treatment and ongoing medical support in the UK has been incredibly difficult. NHS paediatric waiting lists are exceptionally long, and specialist treatments for PANS/PANDAS are not routinely available.

We have already seen how much he can improve with treatment. What he desperately needs now is access to appropriate medical care that can help him achieve greater stability, reduce the frequency and severity of his relapses and give him the best possible chance of enjoying an ordinary childhood.

This is why we are fundraising with Tree of Hope.

Our campaign was initially established to help fund intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment overseas. With the support of Tree of Hope, we can now raise funds more broadly for specialist medical assessments, treatments and associated care relating to my son's PANS/PANDAS, including IVIG where clinically recommended.

This flexibility is incredibly important because his treatment needs may evolve, and we want decisions about his care to be guided by medical advice rather than restricted to a single treatment option.

My greatest wish is not an extraordinary one. I simply want my son to be well enough to go to school, play with his friends, explore the world and experience the childhood every little boy deserves.

Every donation, however small, will help us move closer to accessing the care he needs. If you are unable to donate, sharing our story would mean just as much.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for helping us give my son the opportunity to live a happier, healthier and more secure childhood.

With heartfelt thanks,

A mum fighting for her little boy

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, they will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives. If, in those circumstances, we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child, any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.