ARTHRITIS is a condition commonly associated with older people.

Around 10 million people in the UK are affected by the condition which causes pain and inflammation in a joint - 15,000 of those are children.

Sam and Richard Kay's daughter, Bluebelle, was 18 months old when they discovered she had the condition.

"We were on holiday and she started limping," recalls Sam.

Initially, Sam put it down to Bluebelle's new shoes or that she may have possible hurt her leg but the pain didn't seem to go away.

Sam recalls how her daughter would be crying with pain when getting out of bed on a morning, prompting her parents to take her to their local hospital's A&E department.

It took the family about a year before Bluebelle was finally diagnosed with arthritis after tests failed to find anything wrong.

It wasn't until she underwent an MRI scan at Leeds General Infirmary that arthritis was discovered in her knee. Since then it has spread to multiple joints affecting three of her toes; her ankles, one of her wrists, thumb and elbow.

Sam recalls being in disbelief. "I said I didn't think it was, she was a baby. You always expect that with older people."

The family were told Bluebelle's arthritis may have been triggered by a viral infection. Since then the natural concern has been how it would impact on their young daughter's quality of life.

"I asked if it would go and they said they didn't know," says Sam.

Although the exact cause of JIA (juvenile idiopathic arthritis) is unknown, the symptoms often improve as a child gets older, meaning they can lead a normal life.

JIA is a rheumatic condition affecting children and young people. It can take several different forms. Inflamed joints are often swollen, warm and stiff especially in the mornings.

However, pain isn't always predominant and therefore posing difficulty for parents, and sometimes doctors, to detect arthritis joints.

The annual incidence of JIA (the number of new patients diagnosed as having JIA each year) is approximately one in 10,000 in the UK. The prevalence (the number of children known to have JIA) is about one in 1,000. Arthritis can start at any age from birth to adolescence, but the peak age of onset is 6 years.

Sam began searching the internet for more information and found other families through Facebook groups. The family found some comfort knowing they weren't alone and that children other than Bluebelle were affected by arthritis.

Through the groups, Sam came into contact with the charities who would offer her family help and support - JIA (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis) and CCAA (Kids with Arthritis).

In September the family have been invited to participate in an educational weekend in the Peak District with the charity CCAA to learn more about the condition.

To express her appreciation for the help and support they have already received, Sam decided to arrange two fundraisers to support the charities and also to help raise awareness about Juvenile Arthritis.

On Friday June 9 she hosted a 'Wear it Purple Day' at her daughter's school, Gomersal St Mary's C E (C) Primary. "Everybody wore purple and we had a cake stall," says Sam.

The event raised £360 and the following day, Sam and her pals embarked on a challenging trek when they conquered one of the three Yorkshire peaks, Ingleborough.

They completed the 13.9 mile challenge in five hours and 15 minutes - despite the weather. Sam recalls them striding out against the wind and rain - they were soaking wet by the end of their trek but it was worth it to support this vital cause.

She says one of the scariest moments was as they were climbing up the peak shrouded by clouds. "You couldn't see anything for a few metres in front of you and it got quite scary but we did it."

"It was such an achievement when we got to the bottom," says Sam.

"And we had a laugh along the way."

So far she has raised £1,250 from the challenging trek and now Sam, who also has an eight-year-old son, Bailey, is hoping to make her fundraisers an annual event.

"Now we are trying to think of something to do for next year," adds the 35-year-old from Birkenshaw.

"It's to raise awareness really and to educate people that children do get arthritis."

Bluebelle, who is now five, is currently on medication to keep the condition under control.

"Twelve months ago it really affected her," says Sam.

"I think she was a bit isolated, she couldn't run and could hardly walk. She had to be carried everywhere."

Sam says the treatment has significantly improved her daughter's quality of life. "It has changed her life so much. She does get in pain still and the drugs do tire her out but before it was awful, she was constantly crying in pain."

But brave Bluebelle is learning to live with the condition. She loves writing and drawing - according to her mum. "It's me that gets anxious - she gets on with it!" says Sam.

Carl Wescott, chair of the CCAA says: "CCAA is a voluntary charity that supports families of children who have a diagnosis of arthritis. Most people do not realise that children can suffer from arthritis, but children of any age can get the disease. The charity is run by people, mainly parents who have first-hand experience of the disease.

We run two family weekends each year to try to help parents understand more about the disease and also give the children a chance to experience new activities. Without people like Sam and her friends raising money for us we would not be able to fund any of our weekends, as we have to raise all the money ourselves. The weather on Sam’s walk looked terrible, so to walk 9 miles through wind and rain was a terrific effort, so well done to them all, and thank you.

To find out more about the charity or to get involved visit ccaa.org.uk. For more information on the condition visit nhs.uk/conditions/Arthritis