A MUM who launched a fund-raising drive to highlight her 16-year-old son’s illness, says she had been overwhelmed by the response.

Melissa Davies, who grew up near Newcastle Emlyn, is planning to get her hair cut for the Little Princess Trust charity to be made into wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer.

“I last cut my hair in February 2020,” Melissa, who is now living in Aberystwyth, told the Tivy-Side.

“I won't be shaving it or going too short, but it will be the required length for the charity.

“It's thick too, so there is plenty of it! Maybe if I go above my target I will cut off more.”

She is hoping to raise £1,000 to raise awareness of the plight of her 16-year-old son Edwyn who became ‘severely ill’ in March 2019 due to what she believes was an abnormal reaction to immunisations.

“Edwyn has Hypermobility Syndrome and was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in October 2019,” she said.

“I continue to fight to get him the right tests, treatment and diagnosis as he is also suffering from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) and most probably Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) too.

“Edwyn is suffering from these debilitating illnesses - he is unable to participate in any education, social life and is housebound at the moment.

“I am raising awareness and fund-raising for PoTS UK as many health professionals we have met are unaware or have little experience of this syndrome.

“I want Edwyn to get the right support and to have some quality of life back and for no other child to go through what he is going through with little or no medical support.”

Speaking on Monday, Melissa said: “I’ve already raised £849 including Gift Aid and it’s only been 12 days in!

“I’m totally blown away by the support so far - it’s giving me strength to keep fighting.”

Donations can be made at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=MelissaDavies9&pageUrl=1