A GROUP of 40 family and friends gathered together in Middleton-in-Teesdale on Saturday for an 18 mile trek to Tan Hill Inn in support of a poorly young girl.
Eight-year-old Stevie Mitchell was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in December after suffering with severe stomach pain and weight loss over several months.
She has since been receiving treatment at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI).
Her father Ross said: “This was initially a big shock for us all and a lot to take in, but also good to actually get an diagnosis of what was wrong with Stevie.
“Finding the right medicine and drugs to fight this was the next battle Stevie had to face, which resulted in back and forth trips and over three weeks of overnight stays at the RVI.”
Her mother Michelle said the youngster now attends the RVI every six weeks for a two-hour long infusion, followed by an hour of recovery.
Mrs Mitchell added: “She is not doing too bad. She had an infusion two weeks ago and takes medication at home.
The diagnosis came as a complete surprise because there is no history of the condition in the family.
Her mum said: “They still don’t know the cause [of the disease]. It is trial and error really. It has taken four different medications to find one that seems to work for Stevie.”
The plan to raise cash for Crohn’s and Colitis UK developed out of idea that her father and friend Paul Bainbridge had of walking 18 miles from Middleton to Britain’s highest pub as a personal challenge.
Mrs Mitchell said: “When we decided to raise money we changed it to family and friends.”
Almost 40 family and friends turned out on the day raising about £3,000 for the charity, which will go towards providing a better quality of life for victims, as well as finding a cure for the disease.
Mrs Mitchell said she was overwhelmed by the support everyone had for the cause and the walk.
She added: “Sydney our oldest child, who is nine, did the whole 18 miles, which we are very proud of. She wanted to do it all for her sister Stevie.”
