THERE is nothing stronger than the bond between siblings - so when schoolgirl Jade Shepherd found out her sister had been diagnosed with a debilitating illness she was determined to do something about it.

The 15-year-old Sharples High School pupil was devastated when 30-year-old Claire Hodkinson was told that she had fibromyalgia, a complex condition which is described as a chronic condition of widespread pain and profound fatigue.

There is no cure and Claire, who lives in Bolton, is undergoing a series of tests to manage the condition.

Jade, who is in year 11, said: “It was a shock when she was diagnosed with the condition, she had to give up her job as a receptionist and is so tired.

“Claire is on crutches now and I just wanted to do something to raise awareness of the condition and raise money for research to find a cure to help her and others who have the condition, which can happen at anytime in your life.”

Mum Claire said she was delighted with her sister’s fundraising efforts.

She said: “I am really proud of my sister for raising money for FibroAction.

“It raises awareness for everyone else who has it.

“It is very important for people to keep helping in the way they have because there is currently no cure and people are suffering.”

Jade organised a raffle for a huge chocolate hamper, helped by her year group’s pastoral leader Maddie Moss, and visited every form room speaking about the condition to raise awareness of it.

A non-uniform day was also organised with the help of school prefects and £500 was raised for charity Fibroaction, with a representative of the charity coming into school to collect it.

Jade added: “Claire says she has pain all over her body, she is tired. I try and help out by babysitting and nipping in to see her, and she does try to stay positive but has her up and down days.

“She was really proud of me for wanting to do some fundraising because she also supports charities having taken part in the Midnight Memories before she had the condition. I think she inspired me to do this fundraising.

“I think I will do more fundraising for the FibroAction, it is so important that more research is done into the condition.”