When Jane Diffey and her family met with an unimaginable circumstance, their friends wanted to show their support by starting a fundraiser for them.
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At first, the generous family declined, instead opting to embark on a fundraising journey but in support of other families facing the same, or a similar, situation, and with this, Clare's Angels was born.
This year, Clare's Angels, local registered charity and recipient organisation, will be hosting a Long Lunch and Art Show on Saturday, October 19, to raise funds towards Retts Syndrome Awareness and to purchase a bus for the Yawarra Community School, a special needs school located in Dubbo.
The charity is named after Clare Diffey, Jane Diffey's eldest daughter, who was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome at just 18-months-old.
Rett Syndrome is a rare neurological regressive disorder that affects approximately 380 girls Australia wide and sees the girls develop normally until about six to 12-months-old at which point very slight changes begin to take place.
Over time, sufferers rapidly lose coordination, speech and the use of their hands.
Symptoms may then stabilise for a number of years.
There's no cure, and the condition leads to apraxia - the inability to perform motor functions - including eye gazing and speech.
Because of inability to communicate other than with their eyes, girls with Rett Syndrome are lovingly referred to as "Silent Angels", hence the name 'Clare's Angels'.
"Clare was diagnosed in 2012, and she developed typically until she was 18-months-old, but then she started to regress. She lost all of her motor skills. She couldn't walk or talk, and she would use her eyes to communicate," Mrs Diffey said.
"In 2014 at three-years-old Clare suffered a significant seizure at home and passed away on August 10. There will eventually be a cure for Rett Syndrome, so if we can help girls who are going through it, then we will."
The long lunch will run in conjunction with an art show, featuring works by local artists including Emma Menzies.
Artwork by Mrs Menzies will be available for purchase during the event, with a large portion of the proceeds going towards the fundraiser. Tickets are required for the event and include a drink on arrival. There will be a grazing table, lunch and a dessert bar, as well as entertainment provided by music personality Shane Riley. It is a family-friendly event that will run from 12 pm to 4 pm and tickets are available for purchase online at 123tix.
"It's an opportunity to gather with your friends and enjoy some food while supporting a really great charity at the same time," Mrs Diffey said.
