THE mother of a sick child, who is campaigning to save a threatened research unit, says she is encouraged by a letter of support from Cherie Blair.

Aimee Barber, 12, of Trimdon Village, County Durham, suffers from the incurable condition Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which means she is prone to life-threatening illnesses.

But the only research unit for the condition in the country, based in Cardiff, is threatened with closure due to a lack of funding.

Aimee's mum, Gail Barber, visited Prime Minister Tony Blair in January and has written several letters to politicians asking for help to keep the unit open.

But she had received no response, until sending a letter to Mrs Blair, who replied almost immediately.

The letter, from Mrs Blair's secretary, says: "Cherie was very moved to hear about your daughter Aimee and her rare condition."

Her letter has been passed to Health Secretary and Darlington MP Alan Milburn for a detailed reply soon.

Mrs Barber said: "Getting this letter at least makes me think I'm being listened to."

Rae Mould, of Rufforth, near York, whose daughter Jackie died from EDS, is closely connected to the Ehlers-Danlos support group.

She said: "If there is the money to keep the clinic open and the research going, Aimee stands a fighting chance of finding a cure in time, and that really is the nub of the situation."

The EDS support group can be contacted on (01252) 690940.