A young girl who lives with a rare genetic condition has become the face of a new partnership between Jeans for Genes and Skipping Australia.

Children’s Medical Research Institute has been running the 100 Skips a Day event for several years, which his growing in popularity, and this year will see thousands of Australians skipping to fundraise for research.

One of those skippers is 12-year-old Hiba Wehbe who has been doing the 100 Skips a Day with her mum Mariam and aunty Diyana because it is a cause close to their hearts.

Hiba lives with Isovaleric Acidaemia, a metabolic condition, which left untreated can lead to seizures, brain injury and even coma. Diyana said Hiba was diagnosed early after losing 14 per cent of her birth weight as a newborn. She was tube fed as a child and now takes 15 tablets a day and stays on a strict diet as her body can’t process protein.

Mariam remembers doing Jeans for Genes Day at school and when she saw the 100 Skips a Day, she signed up. Then Hiba became interested and fell in love with skipping.

“I explained to Hiba why I was doing the Jeans for Genes 100 Skips a Day and she wanted to do it with me. We were very lucky that her condition was picked up so early. If she hadn’t been picked up, she could have been left with brain damage. This is all about making sure there is more research. Hiba’s very shy but once she got into skipping everything changed.’’

Hiba is captain of her school’s skipping team which is part of the Crestmead Super Sonics team in Queensland.

Skipping Australia president Kirralee Larkin said the connection between Jeans for Genes and her organisation was a natural fit, especially when she heard Hiba’s story.

“Skipping Australia is pleased to be working closely with Jeans for Genes on the 100 Skips a Day Challenge to fundraise for the incredible work at Children’s Medical Research Institute,’’ Ms Larkin said.

“As a community focused national sporting organisation we have direct experience, from within our own membership, of the impact that genetic conditions can have on families.

“We also see the benefits and accessibility our sport offers to families living with various conditions which is why we are encouraging all our members to rally together and ask people to sponsor them throughout August, to support the scientists who are helping children living with devastating conditions like cancer, cystic fibrosis, and other genetic diseases.’’

To sign up and take part visit https://fundraise.jeansforgene...