The Butterfly Babes

We are embarking on a really fun car rally across Europe in order to raise money for Debra.  We will be driving through 6 countries in 3 days and taking part in challenges and treasure hunts.  Rachel Tredwell, a travel consultant, is mother to Simon who was born with Epidermylosis Bullosa, Janet is a fellow travel consultant who was a former paediatric dietician and worked with children with EB and Carla is a very close friend to the Tredwell clan.

In 2003, Rachel's world turned upside down with the arrival of a 3rd son, Simon.  It had been a straight-forward home birth and all appeared normal.  Sadly, 3 days later, Simon started breaking out in blisters all over his tiny body.  After 3 days in hospital and none of the medical team being able to diagnose  the problem, Great Ormond St were called in.  They came down to Surrey and performed a biopsy.  3 weeks later, the Tredwell family were given the awful news that Simon had Epidermylosis Bullosa (EB for short).  It is an incredibly rare condition that very few people have heard of.  His care used to take 4 hours a day to burst his blisters.  He suffered a great deal of pain, but was incredibly lucky to have one of the less serious types of EB.  There are 3 main types - the first type is usually fatal within the first year of life, the second type gives a vastly reduced life-span and Simon's type has a normal life-span.  All are very painful.

Debra is the charity that helps to look after the families and children living with EB.  They do a wonderful job of fundraising to carry out research and offer much needed support and specialist services to these families.  Please give generously.