A BRADFORD family is hoping to raise awareness and understanding of Crohn’s disease after their own personal experience of the impact it can have. 

Watching their 16-year-old son’s brave struggle against the disease has inspired Trudy and Stuart Walker, from Greengates, to organise a charity event to raise funds in aid of a charity which helps people living with Crohn’s and Colitis. 

At the heart of the event is the hope of helping to #maketheinvisiblevisible in a show of support ahead of World IBD Day, which will be marked on May 19. 

Trudy, 38, said: “Sam was diagnosed at the age of 14, and as well as missing a lot of school he has missed out on so much of the fun that other teenagers take for granted. 

“The last couple of years have been particularly tough for Sam as there was a lot of trial and error involved until doctors found medication to stabilise his condition.”

She added: “Sam began crafting as his way of coping and has successfully started his own Etsy shop selling personalised and handmade items.”

The determination showed by Sam, a pupil at Benton Park School, inspired Trudy to find the courage to start her own business, Topaz Events, and she hopes the fundraiser will be the first of many for the charity. 

She added: “We are so proud of Sam and want to do something positive to help him and all the other people affected by these debilitating conditions. 

“Crohn’s and Colitis UK do an amazing job and I’m hoping that plenty of people will support our event.”

Colitis and Crohn’s are bowel conditions which can have a devastating impact on every area of life and currently have no known cure. 

Around 300,000 people in the UK have Crohn’s and Colitis and more than half are diagnosed when young.

The Walker family’s fundraising, live music event ‘Rock and Raise’ will be held on Friday, May 17 at Peasehill House, Harrogate Road, Rawdon. 

The evening of live music will feature local bands Cook ‘N’ the Stew and Long Shadow Family, among other guests.

TV star Richard Allen (SAS Who Dares Wins) and Patrick McBride, the new Milk Tray Man, are ambassadors for the Supporting Charities Celebrity Football Club and sponsored by Trudy.

They will be in attendance at the event.

To purchase tickets please contact Trudy on 07515 859243. You can also visit visitwww.topazevents.org.