After spending a few years recovering from triathlons, 100k walks, half marathons and eating lots of cake, us Londoners have decided to brave the big outdoors and take on the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of this wonderful charity.

AVMs cause their victims daily struggles with life threatening bleeds, constant headaches, social prejudice and exhaustion for which there is no definitive treatment. This is due to lack of sustained research and sadly, there is no cure. 

Nikki Christou was a happy child, enjoying life to the full until, aged 6, large veins started appearing on the right side of her face. This was followed by swelling and terrible bleeds from her nose, gums and eyes. After many tests, it was found that Nikki was born with a high flow craniofacial AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation). In the last 5 years, she has undergone twenty-six major operations, endured repeated emergency hospital admissions to stem violent bleeding and had over 300 appointments at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Her condition has caused the malformation of her face, loss of sight in one eye and constant medical treatments. Nikki has also had to give up many of her favourite activities such as dancing and sport but always maintains a positive attitude. Despite all her problems, she selflessly wants to help others. Her amazing bravery led to the formation of our charity in 2012.  

The Butterfly AVM Charity is the first specific AVM charity in the UK. We have  greatly enriched the lives of AVM sufferers and their families who, previous to our formation, had no one to turn to for advice and help. Funds raised have been used to start the first specialist AVM research in the UK, in conjunction with Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College of London.

Nikki now travels to Denver for special ethanol treatment for the abnormal blood vessels growing in her face. This procedure helps contain her bleeds and give her an improved quality of life, which she utterly deserves. Your contributions can help Nikki and other AVM sufferers and really make a change. Thank you from all of us!

Joanna, Dan, Kat, Paul, Cara, Sage, Elia, Karolina, Liz, Sooty, Chloe, Mario & George (Nikki's dad)