By Graeme Strachan

A DUNDEE mum is to ask the Princess Royal to support a charity she is launching that aims to help families whose babies suffer from flat head syndrome.

Mandy Muir will approach the princess on Thursday when she opens a plagiocepahly clinic in Glasgow and ask if she could help get the charity off the ground.

She also wants to ask the Prince’s Trust for support to help raise awareness.

Mandy set up a support group for families whose babies suffer from the skull deformity after her daughter Annabel was diagnosed with flat head syndrome at five months.

Mandy saved up for three months to fund helmet therapy treatment privately in Leeds. This costs £1850 plus around £2000 travel expenses to pay for trips for consultations, meaning that many seek fund-raising help.

Annabel has just finished 45 weeks in her helmet, which reshapes the head as the bones grow.

The princess is to open a Leeds satellite review clinic in Glasgow on Thursday, which is being set up to help families in Scotland who have to travel to Yorkshire.

All initial assessments, scans, fittings and final discharge scan reviews will still have to be undertaken in Leeds, but regular intermediate reviews can now be made in the new location.

“Many families I am in contact with through the support group live in rural areas or have low income and find it extremely difficult to raise funds for their baby’s treatment,” said Mandy.

“My main aim in setting up a charity would be to help these families.

“In some cases families cannot raise the funds to take their babies to the initial consultation let alone the full cost of treatment.

“Time is of the essence for babies suffering from plagiocepahly as helmet therapy is only effective until their sutures fuse which can occur from as early as 12 months.

“I am going to approach Princess Anne regarding our cause and will be asking her if she would kindly consider supporting the charity and could she offer any advice.

“I’m in the process of arranging Plagiocephaly Awareness Week, which will be in June. I’m in contact with support groups in the Netherlands, Spain and America who are all doing the same.”