YOUNGSTERS and their mums and dads raised £800 for research into a little-known illness at a pizza making party last week.

The event, which took place at Italian restaurant Alcatraz Caffe in Horseshoe Common, Bournemouth, was held to mark Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day on Tuesday, January 26.

Organiser Nicky Green, whose 12-year-old son Finley was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease last year, said the goal was to warn parents about the symptoms of this increasingly common malady and encourage donations to help fund vital research.

"It was absolutely packed, I wasn't expecting anything like that," she said.

"People were so generous, and the restaurant provided all the ingredients and their chef, Radwan Wali, who was brilliant with the kids. Huge thanks to Shahin and Luisa and all the staff.

"It was nice to see Finley so happy, he has had to go back into hospital recently. A 20 minute blood test turned into a five day stay.

"Just when you think things are calm it knocks you sideways again. That is why it is so important people are aware of this disease."

Kawasaki Disease is now the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in the UK and other developed countries but is still little known, and its cause has eluded scientists. It was first identified in Japan in the 1960s, and is still most common there.

Symptoms include a persistent fever with aching limbs, as well as distinctive red eyes, a red tongue and cracked lips. If not treated quickly the disease - which is more common among younger children - can cause permanent damage to the heart.

Finley developed aneurysms in his heart as a result of the illness and requires medication and regular check-ups. Had the disease been identified sooner by doctors he might have suffered fewer long term effects.

Also last week, Yarrells School in Upton, where Finley's sister Poppy attends, raised £160 selling pizzas at £1 to students and staff.

All the funds raised, which will be match funded by the Gordon and Marilyn Macklin Foundation, will go to the charity Kawasaki Disease Research, set up by professors from Imperial College London and the Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.

To donate visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/KawasakiDiseaseResearch.