A YOUNG girl with a fatal disease had a private audience with Father Christmas during a VIP tour of the BFP’s magical festive grotto.

Amber Jutla sat on Santa’s knee and explored the wonderful world of Narnia with brother Jamie, 9, in the Chilterns Shopping Centre on Saturday.

The two-year-old from Downley has Infantile Batten Disease, an inherited nervous system disorder which usually results in death by the time the child reaches the age of five.

Mum Caroline Jutla said: "It was wonderful, it is so nice to see Jamie smiling and to create nice memories for Amber.

"Every Christmas with Amber is going to be a bonus now, we’re trying to make it as special as we can so, however long Amber has got, so every event, Christmas and birthdays, are so important."

The VIP visit was organised by the Pepper Foundation which cares for ill children and supports their families - including the Jutlas.

Caroline and Rob raised about £2,700 for the charity by diving out of a plane in the summer. They plan to raise further funds and Caroline has taken over the running of part of the foundation’s social media work.

She said: "Pepper is a God send, they cut down our hospital time - as we spend a lot of time in hospital - so them coming to our home cuts down on the amount of hospital stays and brings a bit of normality to our lives.

"We have access to 24 hour care, whenever we need them we can just pick up the phone and call. They come on regular visits, so I can do things like food shopping and emotionally they are brilliant - they’ve become our friends.

"People also don’t realise the effect it has on the sibling of a terminally ill child - they’ve been fantastic with Jamie.

"They do a sibling group with him where he talks about his feelings and meets other children going through the same thing. He is a fantastic brother to Amber."

Diane Butler, lead fundraiser for the Pepper Foundation, said: "The Pepper nurses work very closely with our families, it was a pleasure to be able organise a special visit to Santa for Amber and her brother Jamie.

"I am fully aware of how important it is to Caroline to build these lasting memories. Being chosen as this year’s beneficiary from the BFP’s Santa’s Grotto means a lot to The Pepper Foundation and our families."

Caroline created this video to raise awareness about Infantile Batten Disease:

For more information or to donate to the Pepper Foundation visit www.irhh.org/Pepper