A SPECIAL camp for children and adults with a life-threatening skin condition has been unveiled, with youngsters arriving from as far afield as Germany and Cuba for the event.

The Owl Patrol Camp, which is the first of its kind in England, was held at the St Katherine's Parmoor, Frieth, on Friday night until Monday. The night camp gives the sufferers the rare chance of a holiday, some for the first time.

The camp was the brainchild of Sandra Webb, who founded the Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) support group from her home in Strawberry Close, Prestwood after discovering her son Alex had the condition.

Six-year old Alex is at risk from skin cancer if he is exposed to normal daylight and Sandra was the driving force in making the camp dream into reality.

She based it on the only other camp in the world, which is in America.

And last weekend, the youngsters and adults went along to Cafe Alfresco at Safeway in High Wycombe for dinner to celebrate the opening. They were able to eat at that restaurant because it has very dim lighting.

They then trained with coaches from Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday night as well as making a trip to Court Garden leisure centre in Marlow to take part in activities, including swimming.

Sandra said it was a wonderful feeling that all of her hard work had finally paid off.

She said: "I feel quite proud and I am really happy. Friday was quite emotional when everybody got there and I thought we have really done it. And to top it we have a permanent facility and we don't have to worry about finding a venue."

She has been battling to raise the money for the camp for ten months but says she had a lot of help along the way. The group had seen funds grow from organisations such as The Roald Dahl Foundation, The Buckinghamshire Foundation and the Rotary Club of Great Missenden.

She added: "Everyone has been fantastic. This will give families a unique opportunity. Children will be able to play with others with XP as well as their brothers and sisters, and parents can get together."

Betty Wallace, 62, who is one of the oldest XP support group members had driven down from Manchester to take part in the day.

She said she was grateful to Sandra for bringing the group together, adding she would have 'cracked up' if they were not there.

She said: "It is fab. I spent too many years thinking I was on my own and now I am so happy. I was born in 1940 and no-one knew anything about it and I didn't get it diagnosed until 1979."

For further information about the XP support group contact 01494 890981