THE grandmother of one of Britain's first designer babies has launched a bid to raise money for families which have been affected by a form of anaemia.

June Kynoch and her family endured years of worry when her grandson, Charlie, four, was diagnosed as suffering from the life-threatening blood disorder Diamond Blackfan anaemia.

His only chance of a cure was from a stem cell transplant from a sibling with a tissue match.

Mrs Kynoch's daughter, Michelle Whitaker, travelled to a US clinic with her husband, Jayson, for treatment that involved screening embryos to find one that was a match for Charlie.

Mrs Whitaker gave birth to a son, Jamie, in the summer, and the couple are waiting for a transplant to be carried out.

Mrs Kynoch, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, is raising money for other families affected by Diamond Blackfan anaemia.

She has already helped raise £5,900 this year by organising and taking part in a coast-to-coast bike ride with a group of other fundraisers in May, and is now running a Santa's letter service to raise more money.

Between now and mid-December, she will send replies from Father Christmas to children, letting them know he plans to visit them on Christmas Eve.

She said: "I am taking orders between now and December 14, so parents should ring me if they want to take part.

"I am also organising next year's coast-to-coast cycle ride, so there is a lot still going on."

Mrs Kynoch can be contacted on 0779 080 8720.