A KIDDERMINSTER couple whose world was turned upside down when their young daughter was diagnosed with arthritis has organised a concert in aid of the charity that supported them.

Dakota Walker was just three-years-old when she was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) after falling so ill that she couldn’t even walk.

But her parents Anna-Maria and Justin said they wanted to give something back to the Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis – National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society for all the help they gave the family throughout the last two worrying years.

The JIA Charity Gig will be held at The Marrs Bar in Pierpoint Street, Worcester, on Sunday, October 28 from 7.30pm to 11.30pm.

All proceeds from the event, which will include a raffle and auction, will go to the charity while singer-songwriter Dan Greenaway – who will be performing on the night – has also donated his single “Sunshine Smile” to raise money for the cause.

In the UK, around 12,000 children (or one in 1000) under the age of 16 have JIA.

Mrs Walker said: “Dakota became very ill, she lost weight, was in constant pain and eventually struggled to walk and we had to carry her everywhere. She had pain in her arms, knees and had stiff joints.

“After several visits to doctors, she was referred to Kidderminster Hospital to see a consultant and she was eventually diagnosed with JIA.

“Dakota has polyarthritis, which affects 12 of her joints, her elbows, wrist, fingers, knees, ankles and toes.

“She was put to sleep to have steroid injections which thankfully have helped her be more mobile again.

“On a weekly basis, nurses from Worcestershire Orchard Service would come out to give her the Methotrexate injections, which is a chemotherapy drug, to keep the arthritis under control.”

Dakota, now aged five, has regular check-ups at Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s rheumatology department while her eyes are checked every few months to see if the disease has spread there.

But Mrs Walker added the family have been given positive news as medics have currently stopped injections to see how Dakota gets on.

She said: “I wasn't aware children could get arthritis and like many people assume it to be an old person's disease. It has been a very stressful and difficult learning journey.

“But the charity gave us the support we needed when we had nowhere to turn to. They also provided us with the resources and information that we could read and also give to her school.

"We have also had a lot of support from the nurses as well as our family and friends for which we are extremely grateful for. We can't thank everyone enough."

“I am organising this charity event as I am really passionate about raising awareness about this.”

Tickets for the show cost £10 and are available online at  https://www.wegottickets.com/event/453075 or by emailing annamariawalk@gmail.com or by calling 07854 199451.

Dan Greenaway’s single can be downloaded for 99p here, hereor here.