A GYM has raised more than £1,500 for a charity after a young girl was diagnosed with a rare, incurable, life-threatening condition.

Total Training Gym, in Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury, has raised £1,600 for the charity Annabelle’s Challenge. 

It comes after the gym hosted a ‘throwdown workout’ fundraiser on September 30.

Wendy Connell, who is a member of the gym, was inspired to raise money for the charity after close friend Bonnie Jackson found out her daughter Mia has vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (VEDS).

Since her premature birth and after showing early signs of the condition five months later, Bonnie has always suspected that Mia has suffered from the illness, however it has taken years to have the diagnosis confirmed.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Strong - Mia was first diagnosed with the condition in August 2021Strong - Mia was first diagnosed with the condition in August 2021 (Image: PR)

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Hard work - This photo is taken from Total Training's gruelling challenge during the fundraiserHard work - This photo is taken from Total Training's gruelling challenge during the fundraiser (Image: Aerial Essex)

Mia, now aged nine, was finally diagnosed to have VEDS in August 2021 after years of private consultations and campaigning.

The condition is a serious connective tissue disorder that affects all tissues, arteries and internal organs, leaving sufferers extremely fragile.

People with the condition are at risk of sudden arterial or organ rupture at any time.

The genetic condition is extremely rare and there are only about 740 confirmed diagnoses in the UK.

Speaking about her daughter’s condition, Bonnie said it was a lengthy road to get an answer from medical experts.

She said: “After the constant fighting for years for answers, being doubted, being dismissed, I never gave up for Mia. 

“When I received the news I felt the world turn upside down. It completely broke my heart, my soul with a deep pain that I know will never leave me.”

The Annabelle’s Challenge charity was founded in 2013 by Jared and Sarah Griffin after their daughter Annabelle was diagnosed with the condition at the age of three. 

The charity aims to promote awareness and medical research into the condition.

The organisation also supports those affected by it.

Total Training’s fundraiser was hailed a success and following a gruelling three-hour challenge which focused on cardio and weightlifting, members gathered for a barbecue and raffle.