Family launches charity trust to help fight Lupus

A charity has been launched by a Staffordshire family to help local people with a rare illness.

The Hibbs Lupus Trust has been set up by the Hibbs family, who live in Hednesford, for people in mid-Staffordshire affected by the condition called lupus.

Headed by 33-year-old John, who has already worked tirelessly for the West Midlands Lupus Group running marathons and taking part in charity cycle rides, they decided to start their own charity so they could help more people directly in the area.

John's sister Viki was diagnosed with the condition in 2008 and the family, including mum Carol and wife Kate, have been raise money, and awareness of the condition.

Lupus causes the body's immune system to go into overdrive and starts to attack itself. It is believed that more than 50,000 people throughout the UK have the condition and of these, 90 per cent are female. There is no cure, and patients are likely to remain under medical care for many years.

John, said: "We are focused on increasing the profile of the disease."

To find more about the trust or to raise money, visit www.hibbslupustrust.org