We are extraordinarily lucky to have an amazing group of family, friends and colleagues who have either joined in challenges with us, done challenges of their own, baked cakes, held fundraising events or supported us through sponsorship. This has enabled Team Poppy to raise a staggering amount for the Lily Foundation so far and for this we are hugely grateful.

Heres a bit about our story and why The Lily Foundation is so important to us

Poppy has a Mitochondrial Disease, a genetic disorder which essentially means the batteries in her bodys cells arent powerful enough to enable her body to function as it would as a normal child of her age. This disease has no typical symptoms or predictable prognosis and affects different people in different ways. For Poppy, her condition is progressive and her function has deteriorated enormously since her diagnosis, aged 2.

Poppy is impacted by an inability to walk or to sit unsupported, she suffers from extreme muscle tension in her arms and legs which makes her unable to do any basic daily activities. She can no longer eat orally, so is tube fed and is no longer able to communicate verbally, so relies on the use of eye pointing and facial expression. All of these challenges are due to faulty mitochondria.

As a parent, it is heart-breaking to know there is no treatment and no cure to this disease. Wed love for this not to be the case, so since Poppys diagnosis in 2013, we have undertaken various events and challenges in a bid to raise funds for the Lily Foundation. They are an amazing charity who do great work in supporting affected families and have been a life-line for us in times of need, as well as working tirelessly to fund much needed research and drive awareness of Mitochondrial Disease.

Team Poppy would love to raise even more for The Lily Foundation, so if youre considering a challenge of your own and would like to support this amazing charity, then wed love you to join Team Poppy, so please get in touch! Thank you for your support. James & Kat Kitto

We have recently updated our page - to view all historic direct donation please have a look at our old page https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/lilyfoundation/teampoppy