Rocking on

Charlie Pritchard (9) from Essex is watching the post. He’s waiting for the certificate to confirm his achievement in raising nearly £2,000 for Crohn’s & Colitis UK and is deservedly proud of himself for his efforts in raising such an impressive amount. His original target was £250.

Charlie’s dad Andy says, “My wife Kristina and I are also really proud of him. He’d spent three years passing blood on an almost daily basis and was finally diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in January this year. His doctor at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge saw him on New Year's Eve for a routine appointment which coincided with him having a flare up. It’s a rubbish diagnosis for someone his age and he knows he’ll have it for life but he’s never complained.”

Andy has a cousin in his 30s with the condition so they learned a lot from him and have a great relationship with a specialist nurse at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

“Nurse Mary has been great for Charlie and for us,” says Andy. “She’s totally direct and really kind and helpful. I know Charlie is just young but he does seem to understand what she tells him and already knows how to organise an outing around his condition, like knowing where the toilets are.”

After receiving his diagnosis, Charlie decided to raise funds for Crohn’s & Colitis UK. He and Andy meticulously planned an event based around their shared love of rock music.

“He’s only been to a couple of shows so far, especially with COVID-19 getting in the way, so I suggested a six-mile sponsored walk around a range of London venues he’d love to go to,” says Andy. “We did it in an afternoon in October and it ended up being closer to ten miles but it was a brilliant day out. Kristina, his little brother Joseph and a few friends came along too and we all really enjoyed it.”

It certainly caught the imagination of many. Donations poured in, far beyond Charlie’s original modest expectations and, luckily, the star of the show thoroughly enjoyed himself too.

“It was amazing,” says Charlie. “I just really like music and I wanted to raise money for Crohn’s & Colitis UK so my dad told a few of his friends and put it on Facebook and lots of people gave donations.”

Charlie has taken his diagnosis in his stride. “It doesn’t stop me doing anything I like,” he says “I love football and basketball and I’m good at art and love computers. I’d like to do a fundraiser every year for Crohn’s & Colitis UK so maybe next year I’ll do a run or another walk – we’ll plan something we like.”

The whole family value the help we’ve given them. “We discovered Crohn’s & Colitis UK in the summer and as parents we’re so grateful to them for their support,” says Andy.

“Poor Charlie got COVID-19 and was stuck at home so we were trying to cheer him up – that’s when we got in touch with Crohn’s & Colitis UK. We find Connect magazine really helpful and it’s so good to read about other families and how they’re dealing with things.

“Charlie has been so good, taking such a positive approach to raising funds for research and getting on with enjoying life. We love his attitude that Colitis doesn’t stop him doing anything, not least because it’s absolutely true. Raising funds for Crohn’s & Colitis UK makes us all feel we’re doing something positive as well.”