My good friend Helen's daughter Lauren is 6. We met her for the first time in August 2013, she is a beautiful little girl. She was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome 4 years ago. Currently there is no cure or treatment for her or for any of the girls and women suffering with the relentless barrage of symptoms Rett brings. However, in the past 12 months research for the disease has seen incredible steps forward, providing the potential to finally gave Helen and Andy, Lauren's Daddy, the news they are are desperately waiting to hear – that we have a choice to be able to help girls like Lauren be better, that treatments can be found and ultimately a cure. 

Like me Helen was 40 in 2013. She asked 40 of her friends and family members to celebrate her milestone birthday year by helping her to fundraise for the charity, Reverse Rett, of which she is now a Trustee. She set an ambitious target of £10K which was quickly met so rasied it to  £20K, then £30K and now an incredible £40K is within her grasp.

 I have decided to hold a "Jean Free January" which for me is no mean endeavour. Two of my close friends, Clare and Julie, have also signed up to go jean free. Together we hope to raise money for Lauren and for other girls like her to give them a chance at leading a life they deserve.

Please sponsor us. It is the last day today and to be honest I am feeling quite sad. I have thoroughly enjoyed being "jean free" and having to look for alternative options from my wardrobe. I won't be wearing jeans half as much as I used to from now on - well that's the plan for February so we'll see how I get on. Clare and Julie have both embraced this challenge, I shall never forget that have chosen to help support me with this challenge and for that I thank them both from the bottom of my heart.

 

During this month we have all managed to stay away from jeans by removing them from our wardrobes. Victoria even did the school run in a cocktail dress one day! Clare didn't realise she had so many tops to wear with leggings and Julie has had to buy more tights to go with her dresses!  We had made it through shear determination if nothing else, oh and the odd mis-matched outfit, lots of skirts and dresses, shorts with tights and maybe a swimming costume but definitely no jeans!

At the start of the month we set a target of £300, then £400, then £500 and now I believe that with your help we'll raise £600 for Lauren. All because we're not wearing our jeans. Thank you all so much.

Thanks for visiting my Just Giving page. Thank you for sponsoring us. Please help us to help Lauren.

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.