A MAD Hatter tea party will raise funds for a support group which helps people with a rare inherited disorder.

The event in Rawdon on August 17 will be in aid of the Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Support Group.

The tea party is being organised by Jude Amos whose friend has been diagnosed with the disorder, which causes weakness and stiffness in the leg muscles leading to decreased mobility.

Jude is organising the event along with the help of her husband, family, friends and fellow church members at St John’s parish church, Yeadon. It will include a bouncy castle, craft stalls, face painting, hook a duck, exotic animals, a mad hatter hat competition, and a charity open mic. It will also feature a dance display, Wonderland tea rooms and the Queen of Hearts sweet emporium.

Jude said: “ Lots of the local businesses have donated some awesome raffle prizes and a local lady is making a Mad Hatter themed cake for us to auction.”

‘Alice’ and her friends will bring their story alive during the event and the White Rabbit will be posing with people for selfies for a small donation.

The tea party will take place at Honeysuckle cottage, Apperley Lane, Rawdon LS19 7DX from 1pm to 6pm. The charity open mic will begin at 4pm. Entry is free and visitors can just turn up on the day. Jude also staged a fairy festival two years ago to raise money for breast cancer research.

Jude’s friend Peter, who does not want to give his full name, lives in Yeadon.

His wife Christine said: “My husband, Peter used to enjoy running, completing two full and three half marathons, until 20 years ago when he began tripping and falling on his evening runs round Woodhouse Moor. A possible slipped disc was the first of many reasons that Peter was given for his deteriorating mobility. This was quickly ruled out but over the last 20 years he has undergone lots of tests including many which were invasive and painful. His mobility continued to deteriorate until today when he can only walk very short distances, very slowly with two sticks or for anything more than a hundred metres needs a mobility scooter or wheelchair.

“We had no diagnosis until February this year when, due to improvements in genetics, a mutated gene has been identified. This finally resulted in a diagnosis of HSP or Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.”

She added: “HSP is a condition that desperately needs more research as many people go through a lot of unnecessary tests and treatments before their condition is identified.

“The group aims to raise money for research into this rare condition which affects about 1 in 10,000 people.”