A LOCAL resident is raising awareness of Mucoplysaccharide diseases (MPS), encouraging people to donate at a collection point set up in the high street.

Megan Rennoldson has Alpha Mannosidosis which is a rare inherited condition which can cause an array of serious health complication in both children and adults, including skeletal deformities, learning difficulties, hearing loss, immune system complications and behavioural or psychiatric complications.

It occurs when the gene which provides instructions for making the alpha-mannosidase doesn’t function properly, a certain enzyme is not produced correctly which causes Alpha Mannosidosis.

A donation basket in Bridges Community shop allows residents to donate towards the MPS society to help those which live with this life changing condition.

The M.P.S society have helped Megan in navigating her way through this experience. They looked after her medical needs and also provided her experiences which she has cherished.

The society took her on a trip to Australia where she held a koala bear and a fed a baby kangaroo. Megan visited Spain where she told her story to 500 scientists who had helped to make an enzyme for her.

The M.P.S Society is the only registered charity providing professional support to individuals and families who are affected by MPS and other related conditions.

They have spent around £6 million on projects to research more into these conditions, whilst looking into better treatment and care. MPS awareness week was on May 11 to May 17 but it still shows how donations can make a huge difference.

Bridges Community shop is located on Monnow Street and the donation bucket is near the counter. Any donations could make a huge difference to those living with MPS.