A HOUNSLOW mother is going to put her excess energy to good use as she takes part in a charity trampoline event for Cystic Fibrosis Week.

Lorraine Norris, of Clare Road, has a personal connection with the organisers, Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Her son, five-year-old Jack, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when he was only five weeks old. Doctors at Hammersmith Hospital made the discovery following a bowel operation on the tiny tot.

The genetic disease causes organs in the body, particularly the pancreas and lungs, to clog up with a thick, sticky mucus, leaving the sufferer prone to infection.

Jack must take regular courses of antibiotics, endure two sessions of physiotherapy a day to dislodge the mucus and has to take medicine with his food to help his pancreas digest it properly.

The family have learnt to cope with Jack's illness. Lorraine said: "Obviously at the beginning it was really hard but you just get on with it. When you have a tiny baby that needs you, you either live with it and deal with it or you crack up.

"But it's life threatening and you never really forget that."

Lorraine and her husband John carry out Jack's physiotherapy sessions themselves, as well as preparing his medicine and sterilising equipment.

Jack takes it all in his stride, as Lorraine explained: "Jack has been brilliant. He's fantastic. As he's had it since birth he's never known anything different."

His school, St Martin's and St Michael's Primary School, Hounslow, are also very supportive, especially as Jack has to take his medicine regularly. Lorraine added: "The school has been amazing. They have made life a lot easier."

Lorraine is now hoping to raise the profile of the disease and is preparing for her charity bounceathon on Saturday March 27. Fifteen members of friends and family will join Lorraine as she spends an afternoon bouncing on a trampoline to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The event is being aided by Whitton Sports and Fitness Centre, Percy Road, who have provided Lorraine with the gym and trampolines to complete the challenge. Donations to the event can be made by calling the hotline on 020 8464 7211.