Children from Ketton Church of England School hosted a special bake sale as part of their Ketton Challenge. For one of these students, this effort carries a much deeper meaning.

Elsie’s brother, Cal, is courageously fighting two serious illnesses: an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD-U) and a rare liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). IBD-U has disrupted Cal’s life in ways no young person should endure—he’s missed six months of school, is largely confined to home, and has been hospitalised for the past week. Currently receiving care at Addenbrooke’s, he’s undergoing drug infusions and may face surgery to remove his colon, though we’re hoping to avoid it.

PSC, the liver disease, holds further challenges for Cal’s future, with potential risks of liver failure. This illness has no cure, but Cal’s family is partnering with PSC Support, a dedicated charity working to raise £1 million by 2030 to fund critical research that could bring hope to Cal and others facing this disease.

In support of her brother, Elsie has taken on several charitable initiatives, and on 8th November 2024, she and her friends raised funds through a school bake sale. The family and school are incredibly proud of these young bakers and their commitment to helping Cal.

Cal is a former Ketton student and now a Year 11 student at Casterton. Last weekend, thanks to generous support, Cal’s family exceeded their initial goal of £1,000 thanks to this school bake sale - an amazing milestone achievement. They raised their target to £2,000, exceeded that target and increased it to an ambitious £3,000! 

Their local netball team is also supporting their fundraising efforts and on Sunday 17th November they are asking people to wear yellow for PSC Support.