Cystic Fibrosis Trust event inspired by two-year-old's condition

Watford company Rocket Ltd is supporting a FeBrewary tea party charity event at The Barn on Croxley Park in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The Croxley Park commercial graphics business became involved with the charity because one of its staff, Tim Pelerin, is the father of River, a two-year-old girl with the life-limiting condition.

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“A couple of weeks in after she was born, we were told she has cystic fibrosis,” Tim said. “It took us to a dark place and to be honest still does."

“Having to say the words ‘our two-year-old daughter has a life-limiting condition’ puts a lump in your throat,” he added.

The condition causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. This then leads to lung infections and problems with digesting food.

Visit Rocket Ltd's FeBrewary Fundraiser here

River. (Image: Tim Pelerin)

The 50-year-old father-of-two explained: “Neither River, nor us as parents have control over the progression of her illness but do what we can to try to keep her as well as possible and slow down the progression.”

Each morning Tim gets up at 5.30am and checks the level of fats in River’s breakfast to calculate the correct dose of the medicine Creon to give alongside it. More medicine and antibiotics follow and then they perform physio to help shake the mucus off his daughter’s chest.

The process takes around an hour and must be repeated in the evening.

River as a baby. (Image: Tim Pelerin)

Tim admits that he and his wife Anne-Marie, like many people, knew nothing about cystic fibrosis before he was told his daughter had it shortly after her birth.

This is why he hopes the event will offer insight on the impact of the ultra-rare condition on those who have it and their families, as well as the “incredible” work done by CF Trust.

Although there is no cure, the Buckinghamshire resident highlighted the advancements in treatment being made all the time, which are expected to potentially extend life expectancy from 30 to 40 years all the way to around 80.

Tim and Anne-Marie with River. (Image: Tim Pelerin)

The project manager added that River is a “blessing” and he and Anne-Marie, 37, “wouldn’t change a thing”.

“She was born on fireworks day and she’s an absolute firework," he said. "She’s fantastic and you would never know.”River's Creon medicine. (Image: Tim Pelerin)

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust FeBrewary event, from 10am to 1pm on February 8, will feature talks from the CF Trust and River's nurse Nicky. Tim and Anne-Marie will also be there to offer their perspective and answer questions.

It will also include a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses as well as big names such as Watford FC and Volvo UK. They even include a three-night stay at a luxury cottage in Cornwall.

More local businesses and members of the public are encouraged to get involved and/or attend.

The Barn on Croxley Park (Image: Croxley Park)