THE Farnham Liberal Club hosted a 24-hour pool marathon to create awareness and raise funds for the National Support Group for Kawasaki Disease, also known as Mucocutaneous Lymph Node syndrome.

The team of four players consisted of Ray Yeoman, Pete Howell, Sean Parker and Jamie Clements, who was diagnosed with Kawasaki in October 1993.

From midday on Saturday, May 28. they played non-stop pool until midday on Sunday, with members of the public joining them for a game or two.

During this period there was also a guess the number of sweeties in a jar, donated by Jackie Mayo, and guess the weight of the cake, donated by Joanna Grimer. Waitrose Farnham donated food and refreshments for the team.

Together with donations and a raffle an excess of £300 has been raised, with sponsorships still coming in the total raised should reach £650. The Farnham Liberal Club and Kawasaki Support Group would like to thank all those who sponsored and supported the event.

Kawasaki disease, although rare affecting around 200 to 300 children per year, is the leading cause of acquired heart conditions in young children in the UK, predominantly affecting children under eight years old.

Currently there is no known cause or cure and no test to diagnose. If not promptly treated, it may lead to many complications – not just cardiac issues.

The Kawasaki Support group was started in Farnham by Nicky Clements, after contacting the Farnham Herald early 1993. From the response from other families coming forward in the Surrey and Hants area, Nicky Clements with another parent (Zaen) made contact with the Charity Contact A Family and became a national support group along with Sue Davidson from Coventry in June 1994.

The group is still run by Nicky and Sue and currently has more than 1,500 members. The group gives support, advice and aids in Kawasaki Research in the UK.

It was instrumental in helping with several published medical papers and opening of the first Kawasaki Clinic in the UK -the group is run totally voluntarily and relies on fundraising and donations to cover costs.