Watford and Charlton Athletic supporters helped raise £1025 for DEBRA on Saturday - a charity which supports individuals and families affected by painful skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

Volunteers representing DEBRA collected loose change in buckets before the match and 18-month-old Freddie Algate, who has the more severe form of the condition, led the players out before the game.

Pete Fincham, a lifelong Watford supporter and father of two children with EB, addressed supporters at half-time and encouraged fans to give to the charity by donating online or with their mobile.

He said: “The continued support from both Watford Football Club and the fans has been quite overwhelming.

“In the short term, the funds raised will make a genuine difference to those dedicated to finding a cure for this terrible illness.

"But more longer term, I hope that the increased awareness of EB and the debilitating, sometimes fatal, consequences it has on young lives, will inspire more people to continue where we left off on Saturday and allow DEBRA to become one of the causes close to their hearts."

The money raised will enable DEBRA to offer specialist care and support to individuals and families living with this debilitating condition and will help in the search for effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for EB.

To support DEBRA, text SKIN11 £3 to 70070 to donate £3 and to find out more visit www.debra.org.uk.