The family of Dromara girl Georgina Bailey (4), who suffers from the rare metabolic disorder of hyperinsulinism, has praised the public for its continuing support after receiving the latest in a series of donations.

The cash boost - for the Children's Hyperinsulinism Fund based at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital - came from the Hampshire Down Ireland Sheepbreeders Association at its recent anunal dinner and auction.

The association's Victoria McFadden presented the cheque to Georgina's older brother Malcolm.

As a result of her condition, Georgina's pancreas overproduces insulin, resulting in dangerously low blood-sugar levels, which, if not properly managed, can lead to seizures, organ and brain damage, even death.

In July this year, the brave four year-old, who must endure regular blood glucose monitoring and long-term drug treatment, was on hand to conduct the re-opening of the new Boots pharmacy in Dromara.

The Bailey family, who explained that when Georgina was born in 2005 she was the only child in Northern Ireland suffering from hyperinsulism, have since have set-up a Northern Ireland Hyperinsulinism Support Group at www.nihyperinsulismgroup.com and/or www.nihig.com, because, they believe, there are now many more local families affected by the condition and its associated complications.

"We are continuing to fundraise and appreciate that it can be difficult in this financial climate," said Mrs. Bailey, "but with the support of the Finnis Rural Development Group we plan to hold a car boot sale and coffee morning on Saturday 24 October at Finnis Orange Hall, Rathfriland Road, Dromara between 10am and 1pm."

Meanwhile, the family is delighted to have received the Hampshire Down Ireland Sheepbreeders Association cheque, thanking its members and club chairman, Mr. Trevor Fegan, for their generosity.

The money raised will help to fund genetic investigation to find a possible cure for hyperinsulism and assist research into the continuing medical and surgical treatment of children with the potentially life-threatening condition.

It was in 2007 that The Leader and its sister title, The Weekender, first highlighted Georgina's story, helping to prompt a series of events in which the local community rallied to raise funds for the Children's Hyperinsulinism Fund.

Copyright 2009 Johnston Press Digital Publishing