Staff at a Macclesfield firm have pledged to support a charity which helps people with a rare genetic disease.

Zuto, a car finance company based at Lyme Green, has strengthened its ties with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (PWSA) after three years of fundraising.

The charity funds vital research into the incurable condition where common symptoms are learning difficulties, abnormal growths and obsessive eating.

The reason behind Zuto’s pledge to support PWSA is because the young son of the firm’s CEO James Wilkinson has the condition, which affects one in every 15,000 children born in England.

James said the charity had been a massive support to him and his son Jimmy.

Speaking of the partnership Mr Wilkinson said: “I am thrilled we have built such a close relationship with PWSA, to not only raise much needed funds but help build the infrastructure and skills resource within the charity.

“My son, Jimmy, has Prader-Willi Syndrome and the charity has been an invaluable support to us over the years, so it is a cause very close to my heart.”

Zuto began fundraising for PWSA three years ago. During that time bake sales, a charity calendar and sports days helped raise more than £25,000.

In the coming year Zuto plans to work closer with the organisation to both raise funds and support with skills and training.

Staff will be invited to undertake a number of charity challenges including skydiving and the three peaks challenge.

Meanwhile, the company will lead a number of tutorial-based learnings for PWSA staff, to help the charity develop technical knowledge. This will involve workshops covering topics that include how to host webinars and manage social media platforms.

Susan Passmore from PWSA said: “We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from Zuto and we are looking forward to working in partnership with them over the coming years.Their support enables us to continue our vital support work with the Prader-Willi syndrome community in the UK.”

The charity was formed in 1981 and runs a telephone help line offering vital support and guidance particularly in times of crisis, as well as training abd peer to peer support.

For more details visit www.pwsa.co.uk