Kawasaki Disease is a little-known but serious childhood disease that can have the most devastating of consequences on children's hearts.

Unfortunately, Kawasaki Disease - despite it being the leading cause of acquired heart disease in UK Children and increasingly common it is not very well known.

That is of course unless you live in Hitchin.

Hitchin is a hub of Kawasaki Disease thanks to a few determined individuals that are dedicated to getting Kawasaki Disease known.

Runner Gayle Harvey who co-runs the fitness platform Virtual Vibz with business partner Lisa has been volunteering for Societi, the UK Foundation for Kawasaki Disease for two years - after first learning of the disease from a friend, who's little boy became severely unwell.

Gayle is a powerhouse of fundraising for Societi and has inspired her whole community too, to spread vital awareness.

Runners are often seen out and about wearing Societi t-shirts and vests in her beloved hometown, spreading awareness and protecting tiny hearts.

Gayle said: "It's so cool that we can raise such amazing awareness while we run! My team of runners absolutely love making a difference for this amazing charity just by doing what they love!!

"As Virtual Vibz, myself, Lisa and our members hugely support Societi - we donate throughout the year and we loving training in our vests!

"Much like Hitchin itself Societi is a tight knit community - an amazing community of people who share a passion for getting Kawasaki Disease known.

"I have seen first hand how the work they do impacts families and children affected by Kawasaki Disease that can have the most shocking of consequences.

"I am proud that I can use my platform for good and do something that will positively impact outcomes for children affected by this disease."

In the short time Gayle has been involved in Societi she has raised thousands of pounds, organised multiple events, run several marathons and during the Covid pandemic, when fundraising was at an all time low initiated the Societi 2.6 challenge after the postponement of London Marathon, as well as running a hugely successful virtual event.

Gayle will once again be running London marathon for Societi Foundation in October – a monumental event following an unprecedented year.

Rachael McCormack, Founder of Societi said: "We are beyond grateful to Gayle, she is quite literally a force for good. Charities are facing the toughest of times just now with so much of our usual fundraising stopped or delayed.

Societi relies solely on donations to continue its vital work - to protect children's hearts.

"Hitchin really is a hot spot of Kawasaki Disease awareness," she said, adding, "with large amounts of funds and website traffic coming in from the area we want the whole of Hitchin to know that they are playing a huge part in helping to amplify the voice of this serious disease.

"It is incredibly heart-warming to see a community, inspired by an individual, work together to make a difference – hundreds more people now know this serious disease because of the unrelenting work from such a fantastic community – thank you Hitchin."

Kawasaki Disease is little known, but very serious - it's fatal in up to 3 per cent of cases if not treated and about a quarter of all children affected will go on to have lifelong heart damage.

Societi research shows a present rate of up to 1,000 UK hospital admissions for Kawasaki Disease each year. Once considered a rare disease, incidence is rapidly rising globally and it is now increasingly common.

Low Kawasaki Disease awareness is leading to delays in diagnosis and a direct, adverse and lifelong burden on affected children - resulting in a rapidly growing number of patients living with lifelong cardiac risk and needing specialist, costly care for life.

In the UK today, children's risk of heart damage from Kawasaki Disease is among the highest in the world. Experts have linked these high levels of heart damage to lack of awareness amongst doctors and the general public.

Studies show the later children are treated after first becoming ill, the higher their risk of serious, life threatening heart damage.

Rapid diagnosis and treatment is key to lowering the currently unacceptable chances of heart damage - so getting Kawasaki Disease known is key.

Donate [L]https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?uniqueVmgCharityUrl=societi]L+]here[.L]