Mums’ pedal power backs support group

ON their bikes . . . Rhiain Harris-Larkin (back left) and Joanne McAllister (back, second right) with Huan and Megan (front) and supporters at the sponsored cycle ride

Children have rare genetic condition
TWO mothers are campaigning to raise awareness of a rare genetic condition which affects their children.

Joanne McAllister’s daughter, Megan, and Rhiain Harris-Larkin’s son, Huan, both have Cri du Chat syndrome, which severely affects their physical and mental development.

The mums, who live near each other in Shaw, have struck up a friendship since meeting seven years ago when they discovered their children both have the complex condition, which affects 1 in 50,000 people.

Megan and Huan are also close — both are eight years old and even sit next to each other on the school bus.

Joanne (36), of Denbigh Drive, said: “It’s nice to have that support of another family so close by, I don’t know anyone else who would have that.”

The youngsters, who both attend Kingfisher Community Special School, in Chadderton, were diagnosed with Cri du Chat when they were babies, due to the main symptom — a kitten-like cry.

Joanne, who works as a nurse, added: “Most don’t know their child has got Cri du Chat at pregnancy. I didn’t find out until Megan was one-year-old.

“Not a lot is known about the syndrome, so we want to raise as much awareness as possible for other families in the same situation.”

You can support Megan and Huan’s cause by donating online at www.justgiving.com/Huan-Megan.


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