Norfolk woman thanks community for supporting charity event in memory of her brother

A Norfolk woman has thanked those who turned out for an event to raise money for research into a rare condition which her brother died from.

The recently-held Vintage Horticultural and Garden Machinery Working Day in Stanfield, between Fakenham and Dereham, saw exhibitors come from around the country.

Co-organised by Vanessa Green, the annual charity event is now in its 10th year and welcomed exhibitors from Suffolk, Cambridge, Essex, Sussex, Nottingham, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

And this year was extra important for Ms Green as the day raised more than £1,000 for the XLP Research Trust - a charity supporting people diagnosed with x-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP).

In 1999, her brother Michael Green was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 14 and died during the same year.

Ms Green said: "This year I felt I wanted to give a little more to the XLP Research Trust.

"It is a very close-to-home charity for myself and my parents, Barbara and Alan Green.

"Michael's life was not taken in vein though as through his passing XLP was explored more and a cure was found through a long process and a bone marrow transplant.

"Since Michael's passing, and the research from his passing, more than 500 boys and their families have been saved from the heartache and loss of a loved one at such a young age.

"Sadly it was too late to save Michael but I am so incredibly proud to say my brother has saved other lives.

"The money that has been raised from this year's horticultural day will make such a difference to the charity and the families affected by XLP.

"The XLP Research Trust is now exploring and working on gene therapy rather than bone marrow transplant."

More than 60 working horticultural machines and 15 working stationary engines were on show at the Vintage Horticultural and Garden Machinery Working Day, and included machines both old and new covering a large variety of horticultural manufacturers.

In total more than £1,109 was raised for XLP Research Trust.

The event was organised with Ian and Jacqueline Thompson, Adrian and June Hall, and Ms Green's partner, Steven Hall.