A CHARITY is celebrating a major triumph as it marks its fifth anniversary.

Annabelle’s Challenge, named after Annabelle Griffin, exists to raise awareness of Vascular Ehlers-Danlos (vEDS) — a rare, incurable and life-threatening genetic condition.

In the year of its fifth birthday, the Bury charity is celebrating the launch of a groundbreaking £24,343 research project to create the world’s largest vEDS database.

Co-founder Jared Griffin, Annabelle's father, said: "I am immensely proud to see our charity grow, supporting families across the country and worldwide all from our dedicated office at Europa House in Bury.

"The fact that we now have research planned is mind-blowing, within just five years of starting the charity."

Annabelle’s Challenge is co-funding a 12-month project alongside Ehlers-Danlos Support UK, which will be undertaken at Northwick Park Hospital in London.

For the first time, this research will bring together genetic and clinical information about children and adults who are diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes

In addition, the charity has been allocated three post-graduate student genetic counsellors to conduct research over the next three years.

The charity currently supports more than 245 people who suffer with the same condition as Annabelle.

Mr Griffin said: “It’s hard to believe how far Annabelle’s Challenge has come since we first started five years ago. We initially launched a Facebook page — now we offer support services, grant funding, school training and an information and advice service which is available to anyone affected by vascular EDS.”

Annabelle’s Challenge was set up in 2014 by parents Jared and Sarah Griffin after their daughter, Annabelle, was diagnosed with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos, the most severe form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

The rare, incurable and life-threatening genetic condition causes collagen deficiency and means that anyone with the condition is at daily risk of their internal organs and arteries rupturing. The condition is thought to affect around 740 people in the UK.

Last year, the charity was recognised with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service — the highest award that can be given to a voluntary group.