WREXHAM youngsters are helping to raise awareness of a rare disease.

Two little girls from Wrexham, Poppy Owens, eight, and Ffion Owens, five, are helping to highlight rare diseases in a photography and video campaign called Rare Aware by Same but Different.

The Mold based organisation uses the arts to create greater awareness of the people behind disability and rare diseases.

The family has first-hand experience of the difficulties faced by people who are diagnosed by rare diseases, as both girls have Marfan Syndrome, which is why they were happy to help Same but Different.

Poppy and Ffion’s mum Ceri Owens explained why they were happy to take part: “Both girls are affected by Marfan Syndrome, as are their dad and other relatives.

"Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue.

"Connective tissue holds all the body’s cells, organs and tissue together.

"It also plays an important role in helping the body grow and develop properly.

"What it means for the girls is that they have eye, heart, muscle and bone issues that involve lots of hospital appointments and check ups.

"Looking at them you would never know there was anything wrong as they are so happy, but we do have to be really careful and they do sometimes get frustrated when they can’t do the things their friends do.

"It is really important that there is more awareness for these types of conditions as little is understood even by the medical profession.”

Ceridwen Hughes, photographer and founder of the Same but Different said: “It was an absolute joy to work with Poppy and Ffion.

"In addition to photographs and the accompanying story we also recorded a video interview with the girls.

"They loved taking part and the resulting video shows their personalities and love of life.

"We feel incredibly privileged that people let us into their lives and help them share their stories through the images and narratives we produce.

"The project cannot make people better or help them find a miraculous cure but it can help people who feel isolated and in need to reach out to their community, breaking down barriers of isolation.

"The Rare aware campaign is funded by the Big Lottery Fund Wales and it has allowed us to reach huge numbers of people with our projects.”

You can read more about Poppy and her sister Ffion by visiting the website www.samebutdifferentcic.org.uk and clicking on Rare Project.