Ten-year-old lights up the London Eye for PANDAS

A 10-year-old campaigner has lit up the London Eye to raise awareness of a little-known condition that causes severe psychiatric symptoms in children.

Albie, from Oxfordshire, has spent the past two years raising awareness of Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) after a family member was diagnosed with the condition.

During that time, he's written hundreds of letters to public figures and health bodies, and has received replies celebrating his efforts from both Prime Minister Andy Burnham and King Charles III.

On 10 October, his efforts culminated in illuminating the world-famous London Eye in green, the colour to mark World PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day.

"Seeing the London Eye turn green was amazing," Albie said. "It made me feel like people were finally listening."

"When the lights turned on, I hoped it meant things were changing for children with PANS and PANDAS."

PANS, and its subtype PANDAS, are both caused by a misdirected immune response which results in an inflammation of a child's brain.

This can cause children to suffer distressing personality changes and exhibit symptoms including anxiety, aggressive behaviour, depression, and insomnia.

The condition was recognised by the World Health Organisation in 2018, but is still not widely known in the UK.

Albie began campaigning to raise awareness when he was just eight years old, after seeing the impact it had on a family member.

"We are just a normal family who never asked to be in this position," his mum Megan said.

"When Albie saw how much we were struggling, he stood up and started fighting for his family.

"He was only trying to help the people he loves, and somehow that has grown into a campaign that is now giving hope to families far beyond our own."

Since then, Albie has written more than 150 letters - including to every children's hospital in the country, NHS England executives and public figures.

He has twice visited Parliament to raise the issue, with the Deputy Speaker calling him a "superstar" after MP Freddie van Mierlo shared his campaign in the House of Commons.

The 10-year-old also has his own YouTube channel, where he attempts to spread awareness and share his efforts.

Megan said seeing the success of his campaign, including Saturday's event at the London Eye, was "overwhelming".

"We no longer feel so alone. It feels like something is finally starting to change, and I could not be prouder of him," she added.