EVESHAM Bell Tower was lit up pink, green and blue for Rare Disease Day.

The historic structure joined in with similar events taking place across the country on Tuesday, aiming to raise awareness of the more than 3.5 million people in the UK living with a rare disease.

Among them is six-year-old Evesham resident, Ailla Richards.

Ailla was diagnosed with CASK gene disorder in 2019 when she was just three years old.

The disease was discovered after the family took part in a British initiative to sequence and study health and disease to provide answers to those suffering from a 'syndrome without a name'.

Ailla is one of only 250 patients in the world affected by this disease, which can have severe life-limiting consequences.

Speaking ahead of Rare Disease Day on February 28, Ailla's mother Emily said: "My daughter suffers from an ultra-rare genetic disease, and so this day means a lot to my family, and I'm sure other families in Evesham too.

"I often see Evesham Abbey lit up beautifully in remembrance and it makes me stop and think of others.

"I hope that other people will do the same on the 28 February.

"I want to thank All Saints Church for supporting this very worthwhile cause."

Evesham Journal: Ailla Richards outside Evesham Bell Tower on Rare Disease Day (February 28)Ailla Richards outside Evesham Bell Tower on Rare Disease Day (February 28) (Image: Wychavon)

The lighting of Evesham Bell Tower was part of a global 'Chain of Lights' taking place on Rare Disease Day.

Thousands of events including building illuminations, fundraisers, sporting events, scientific conferences, art exhibitions, and policy events took place on Tuesday in over 100 countries.

The Vicar of Evesham, the Revd Andrew Spurr, said: “Advances in genetic technology mean that we can now identify an increasing number of conditions which we could only dream of even ten years ago.

"The funding for this kind of research increasingly falls to charitable donations.

"We at the parish church are delighted to be able to raise the profile of Rare Disease Day, a sign of hope for families whose loved ones will benefit from the work it makes possible.”

Evesham Journal: Similar events took place in more than 100 countries worldwideSimilar events took place in more than 100 countries worldwide (Image: Wychavon District Council)