Chance encounter leads man, 86, to walk 100-miles

The mother of a teenager with a rare skin condition said she was "very emotional" after meeting a man walking 100 miles for charity following a chance encounter.

Poppy, 14, from Surrey, suffers with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), which causes skin to blister extremely easily. Patients are sometimes known as "butterfly children" due to how fragile their skin is.

Mike Patrick, from Wigmore in Medway, Kent, decided to take on the ten-day walk in aid of Cure EB after meeting the girl's grandfather while on a skiing holiday.

Her mother Kate said meeting the 86-year-old rambler in person was moving, adding: "I think he is such a wonderful human being."

She said: "Poppy's condition is extremely rare so people haven't heard of it before, but once people know about it, it really pulls at your heartstrings.

"The fact that a complete stranger has heard about this and wanted to help - it made me very emotional."

Kate, from Surbiton, told BBC Radio Surrey that Poppy's condition means she needs to have wounds dressed for up to three to five hours a day, and now uses a wheelchair.

EB causes skin to become very fragile, with any bumps or friction leading to painful blisters, according to the NHS.

Currently there is no cure for EB, and only three approved topical treatments which improve the healing of wounds, according to charity Cure EB.

Mike Patrick met Poppy's grandfather Chris, who lives in Epsom, while on a skiing holiday.

When he heard her story, he said he wanted to "do something worthwhile".

The 100-mile walk, over the space of 10 days, is due to end on Friday in Hemstead Valley.

Kate and Poppy joined him for part of the walk earlier in the trek, which Kate said was "as emotional for Mike as it was for us".

A JustGiving page set up to raise money for Cure EB has hit more than £6,000.

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