Two colleagues from Sutton Coldfield-based Gemini Wealth Management completed the Royal Town Fun Run – raising more than £4,000 for charity PANS PANDAS UK.

Mark Thomas and Neha Sangar ran the 8.4 mile course in aid of the charity which supports children with the conditions known as PANS and PANDAS.

These conditions cause inflammation in the brain resulting in neuro-psychiatric symptoms such as OCD, tics, eating disorders and anxiety.

More commonly affecting children, these conditions can be isolating and life changing.

PANS PANDAS UK's mission is to ensure speedy diagnosis and effective treatment for sufferers by educating the medical community as well as offering support to sufferers and their families.

The charity is Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s president Deb Leary’s chosen charity of the year.

Mark’s son Isaac suddenly became severely ill and distressed with PANS PANDAS in February 2020, aged nine.

Since then, Mark and his family have been supported by PPUK who have been on hand to offer advice, support and practical help.

PPUK are also actively ensuring that knowledge and awareness is improved - something Mark feels passionately about due to Isaac’s condition being misdiagnosed in the first 12 months due to a lack of awareness in the medical community.

Mark said: “I am so happy that we’ve managed to raise so much money for this amazing cause which is so close to my heart.

“I never thought we would raise anywhere near as much, but everybody who has heard Isaac’s story has been moved to do all they can, which is truly humbling.

“I’m not a natural runner, so the 8.4 mile course was tough, but the support from all those around me, as well as Isaac’s bravery in dealing with this awful illness, spurred me on.

“I would also like to say a huge thank you to my employer, Gemini Wealth Management, who have been both extremely considerate as well as generous in helping me with this.

“Gemini have made PPUK one of their two charity partners in 2023 as they have been so moved by Isaac’s story.

“They have been generous in providing the flexibility I have needed during such a difficult time, and have also raised a further £400 so far this year and will raise much more with a planned charity golf day later in June, as well as other activities over the year.

“All of my colleagues have been generous and supportive, but Neha has gone the extra 8.4 miles to complete the run herself and raised much needed donations as well as lots of awareness at the same time.”

Find out more information on PANS PANDAS UK.