YORKSHIRE-BORN TV presenter Gabby Logan visited a Pudsey school to start a major fundraising and awareness campaign into a genetic disorder affecting the granddaughter of one of its staff.

Thirteen-month old Betsy Kay, the granddaughter of Fulneck School nursery nurse Lyn Kay – and a cousin of sporting commentator Mrs Logan – was born with Mitochondrial disease, which affects growth and development.

As a result, the school has named Mitochondrial Disease Awareness as its charity of the year, which is seeing its pupils, staff and parents undertaking a series of fundraising initiatives throughout 2015.

Mrs Logan swapped the studio for the school field yesterday as she started a balloon race in aid of the charity.

"When I approached the school about choosing Mitochondrial Disease as its charity for this year, they couldn't wait to get on-board, which was brilliant", said Mrs Kay, aunt to Mrs Logan.

"We are lucky enough to have Gabby in the family, and hopefully she can help to raise awareness of the campaign and put this condition well and truly in the public arena."

At least one in 200 children in the UK are affected by Mitochondrial DNA disease, and while many will be asymptomatic or have mild, late-onset or undiagnosed problems, around one in 6,500 children are thought to develop more serious mitochondrial disorders.

"Betsy was a real bouncing baby when she was born, but after eight weeks she just stopped growing," said Mrs Kay.

"We didn't expect it to be something so rare, it was devastating.

"There is no cure at the moment, but Betsy has responded fantastically to her treatment, and is now at the weight she should be, which is really positive."

Mrs Kay said the balloon race raised about £700, which will go towards funding research into Mitochondrial disease, with other fundraising events planned throughout the year, including the Fulneck Parents’ Association’s annual ball in June.

Fulneck School principal Deborah Newman said: “I’d like to thank Gabby very much for coming to Fulneck School and helping to officially launch our fund-raising efforts for research into Mitochondrial disease.

“Thanks to her, this event is helping to raise awareness of this rare illness.

"Before the release of the balloons, Gabby spoke to the whole school assembled in the grounds, and this was particularly well received by all the pupils and staff.

“Lyn has been a valuable member of the Fulneck nursery team for the last 15 years, and when we found out Betsy had been diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease, the whole school decided it wanted to help raise money and awareness.

“The whole morning was a great success, and we are grateful to everyone who purchased a balloon to get the fundraising off to a flying start."