TWO MOTHERS in Altrincham have raised more than £57,000 in 24 hours to help raise money to find a cure for six-year-old Felix.

Lisa Kuhwald and her husband, Karl set up ‘Team Felix’ after they received the diagnosis that their son had an incurable terminal disease, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a progressive muscle wasting disorder, in 2013.

Through Team Felix, the couple set about raising as much money as possible for the charity, Duchenne UK, dedicated to raising awareness and finding a cure for the disease. But in November 2015 Karl died from cancer.

Lisa, a mother of four, said: "Nothing at all can ever prepare, or help you, to hear such heart breaking and devastating news. Felix is our beautiful, amazing baby and before my eyes I imagined a devastating future for him.

"However, Felix is an amazing, strong, normal cute six-year-old.

"We are now learning to embrace the future, because it's in that place that help and medical advancements are.

"Devastatingly, Felix’s daddy died. One thing that sticks in my mind though, is that no matter how horrendous the past few months were for him he said,“If Felix could have my life it would be a dream”.  So now, the only thing that keeps me going is Hope"

One of Karl’s fundraising ideas was a family festival, so Lisa and her close friend Sarah Marston, also from Altrincham, carried forward this wish and in Karl’s memory Fe Fest was born.

Twenty-four hours of music, fun, dancing and camping took place on Leaswood Farm in Willaston. It was attended by over 500 people and was an enormous success. It had fire eaters, rugby coaching, musicians, a balloon release, children performing on stage and Tony Christie singing Amarillo.

Local retailers and restaurant owners provided food stalls and local businesses sponsored the event and donated auction prizes.

Lisa said: “Fe Fest was incredibly special. Not only did the idea derive from Karl, but the whole experience was truly wonderful, with people of all ages enjoying the entertainment, games, food, drink and camping whilst raising money for Duchenne UK.

“I am so very grateful for all the support received from family, friends and local businesses. Time is against Felix, and other boys with DMD. It is an awful disease but with the money raised over the last few years, I have seen progress. On the horizon are many new products, new research and new advancements that could beat it."

With great success, plans for Fe Fest 2018 are now underway. To help sponsor the team next year contact: teamfelixuk@gmail.com.

Or if you would like to donate visit: duchenneuk.org/appeal/team-felix or text FEFE18 £10 to 70070.