AN event to promote the campaign ‘Breathe With Me’ Strawfie Challenge was organised by Champneys Forest Mere as the latest in a series of their initiatives in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Toddler Tilly, from Tilford, near Farnham, and her parents Sam and Henry Kay were guests of honour for the afternoon at the Liphook spa.

Tilly, who will be three in June, was the only person with cystic fibrosis able to attend the event because of possible cross-infection issues. The bouncy toddler had the time of her life bonding with Heart FM DJ Toby Anstis and borrowing sashes and tiaras from a bevy of assembled beauty queens, including Larissa Hirst and Channon Kail, the last two Miss Hampshire title holders.

Tilly and her parents were also able to demonstrate to the gathering one particular aspect of how cystic fibrosis impacts on the lives of those affected.

The youngster was partial to chocolate brownies from the buffet. But in common with most of those affected by the disease, she had to take creon (enzymes) before she tucked into the food, as she cannot absorb fats without them.

Guests at the event hosted by Champneys founder Dorothy Purdew tried the Strawfie Challenge, which involves breathing through a straw for 60 seconds, while pinching their nose, to experience the sensation of restricted breathing of many cystic fibrosis sufferers.

The Kay family is supporting a petition to launch free prescriptions for cystic fibrosis sufferers because anyone over the age of 16 has to pay for all prescriptions and treatments themselves, despite it being a progressive disease.

Mum Sam said: “This is because the exempt list was drawn up over 40 years ago, in 1968, when most children with cystic fibrosis did not live until adulthood.

“When Tilly reaches 16 she will have to pay for all of her presciptions unless the exempt list is reviewed. Obviously this is something we would like to see changed, as it puts an additional financial strain on any person with cystic fibrosis, some of whom may actually be too ill to hold down full-time employment.”

To participate in the Strawfie Challenge, visit breathewithme.info or cysticfibrosis.org.uk.