Ay Up Duck – Kids Food Allergy Support – Ilkeston

Ruth Ann used to dread that little party invite in her daughter Aira’s bag.  She has multiple severe food allergies, and, every invite meant she couldn’t just send her along like other children.

She would be making a separate birthday cake, preparing all her own food, and packing EpiPens, antihistamines and wipes just to get through a couple of hours.

Whilst the other children were dancing around with food in their hands, Ruth Ann would be running around like a mad woman, trying to stop anyone touching her, because, even a small bit of contact could bring her out in hives, and by the evening, that could turn into her struggling to breathe.

Imagine a ball pit, your child playing happily, but because another child had milk on their hands, your child is suddenly in serious danger – just from playing.

Ruth Ann takes up the rest of the story: “We spent many nights in hospital by Aira’s bedside.  As she got older, things improved slightly, but the stress and anxiety never really left.

“One day, Aira – now 9-years old – said she wanted to help other children and families going through the same thing.  At the same time, my friend Sarah was going through it too with her daughter Athena.

“Between us, we understood just how isolating and overwhelming life with food allergies can be.  So we decided to create something different.  That is how ‘Ay Up Duck – Kids Food Allergy Support’ started.

“We wanted more than just a support group.  We wanted to create safe, worry-free events where children can just be children.”

“At our events, we ask for every child’s allergies beforehand and make sure that all the food is safe for everyone.  Every child eats the same food, so there is no cross contamination, no fear and no-one feeling left out.

“It means that children can dance with food on their hands if they want to, share snacks and just enjoy themselves without the risk of ending up in hospital – and for parents, it means we can finally relax.”

Find them on Facebook at ‘Ay Up Duck – Kids Food Allergy Support’.