A COUPLE whose daughter is suffering from a rare genetic disorder believe they may have raised £40,000 in one evening for research into the condition.

James and Anne Rapson, whose daughter Lottie suffers from a disorder which affects her co-ordination, ran a charity auction this week at the London dinner of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers

And they think that the auction, where lots included a skiing holiday for 12, an African safari and a one-day helicopter charter, may have raised as much as £40,000.

Last year a similar auction organised by the Rapsons, of the Market Place, Pewsey, raised nearly £19,000.

Mr Rapson said it was too early to give a final result but added: "There were some fabulous prizes. People have been very generous."

Mr and Mrs Rapson know the only way they can help beat the condition affecting Lottie is to raise funds for research.

Lottie, aged nine, was diagnosed with Friedriech's Ataxia nearly four years ago after her parents became concerned about her loss of limb control and co-ordination.

Ataxia is a Greek word meaning clumsy because the condition leads to a loss of co-ordination.

Mr and Mrs Rapson were told that between them they have a genetic combination that gives a one in four chance of producing a child with ataxia.

Mr Rapson, a tele-marketing consultant, said: "It is a disease of the central nervous system and, sadly, currently there is no cure."

Ataxia sufferers fail to produce a protein that removes iron which eventually blocks and kills the nerve cells.

The disease is always diagnosed before children reach the age of 16 and Lottie was just six when her parents sought medical help.

Lottie's brothers, Luke, 12, and George, eight, are typically happy, healthy and active boys.

One in one hundred people in this country have a genetic disorder of one form or another, said Mr Rapson.

Some have little effect on day to day life while others have devastating long term effects.

Despite suffering with the condition Lottie does not let it get her down.

Mr Rapson said: "She is an inspiration to us all. She takes everything in her stride and is a happy little girl."

Mr and Mrs Rapson knew little or nothing of ataxia until doctors' diagnosed the condition in Lottie.

Mr Rapson said they had received enormous support from the Ataxia UK charity. Much of the the Rapson's information has come from the group's website: www.ataxiauk.org.uk.

Mr Rapson said: "We found the group shortly after Lottie's diagnosis and their help has proved invaluable."

Mr and Mrs Rapson said they realised the only way they could help sufferer's like Lottie was to help finance research.

It is hoped that scientists will one day find a way of holding the condition at bay if not curing it completely.

Mr Rapson said: "If we all pull our weight then hopefully the next generation of children will not have this problem."

Last year's auction organised by the Rapsons at the National Association of Commercial Finance brokers raised £18,790.

This year the dinner was held on Tuesday and Mr and Mrs Rapson are still counting how much money was made.

Lots included a case of wine with a trip to Tuscany thrown in so that the bidders can see where the grapes are grown, a holiday for four in Cornwall and a day at the races.

Mr Rapson said: "We know that one day money from a fund raising event will pay for the eventual breakthrough by the research scientists."

People who want to support the charity and its research work can send cheques payable to AtaxiaUK to Mr and Mrs Rapson c/o the Gazette and Herald, 42 Kingsbury Street, Marlborough SNB8 1JA.