AN ANDOVER charity has celebrated another year of a festival aimed to raise awareness and support for mitochondrial disease.

Abel Noakes, who is set to turn nine at the end of September, was born in 2014 with acid in his blood. After lots of tests and many months later, Abel was diagnosed with Leigh's mitochondrial disease with narp mutation - there is no cure.

Frustrated with the lack of support and knowledge of this disease, Abel's parents Tony, 51, and Claire, 47, set up The Abel Foundation in 2015 to help provide support for sufferers and the families of mitochondrial disease.

The charity started when Abel was around six-months-old, as Claire said she and Tony had found a lack of support or knowledge on mitochondrial disease. 

The Abel Foundation has been running Abel Fest for the past few years - a free event for families to come along and enjoy themselves, all the while raising support and awareness for the charity and mitochondrial disease as a whole.

Andover Advertiser: Claire and Abel Claire and Abel (Image: Mark Paine)

On Saturday, September 9, Abel Fest returned for families to have a fun day out, and enjoy a barbecue and a range of activities, such as face painting and rocking horse rides. There was also a photo booth for both the adults and children to record some fun memories, along with live music entertainment in the evening.

A number of people also attended a morning 5k walk in Abels's name, which Claire added had been "well attended on a gorgeous sunny day, and something we are hoping to continue each year".

Claire said: "Thank you for everyone's continued support over the years. It's helping us to build up that knowledge and awareness of the disease, and the more people knowing about it, the more help, support and guidance we can provide.

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"It's lovely to see how much people are always willing to give back, and we're very much looking forward to every year getting bigger and better."

Jordan Wylie MBE is a patron of the charity and is best known for being one of the cast of Channel 4's Hunted and Celebrity Hunted.

Jordan said: "It was amazing to see so many people come out and the sun shining for Abel Fest this year. The kids were having a great time with the games and face painting, and the barbecue was excellent. 

"Raising mitochondrial awareness is so important to us as more people need to be aware of the impact it can have, not just on young people but everyone."