STAFF from a Torfaen hardware firm have launched a festive grotto to raise funds for a baby with a rare skin condition.

When Pippa Atkinson was born in July 2016, 90 per cent of the skin on her hands and feet was missing due to the condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

As Pippa’s skin blisters and tears at the slightest touch, her family have campaigned to raise funds for medical equipment to ease her pain, recently hitting £20,000.

Yesterday, staff from Terry Howell Timber & Builders Merchants launched a grotto in their Pontypool branch in Albion Road, to support the Ponthir family.

The grotto is open 3pm -5pm, Monday to Friday, and youngsters can meet Santa for a £3 donation until December 21.

Staff member Scott Blake said the branch helped after meeting Pippa’s grandfather David Jones and hearing about Pippa’s condition.

After hosting a collection box at the store, staff went the extra mile and gave one of the showroom’s playhouses a festive makeover.

Mr Blake said: “I just had a baby myself and it changes your whole outlook on things.

“When you have your own you think how hard it must be for the family.

“We’re trying our best to help and it’s for a good cause.”

Mr Blake added thanks to staff members Alan Harris, Nicola Howell and Damon Courts who will be helping with the grotto this month.

Mum Rhiannon Atkinson, also thanked the Pontypool staff for their help, describing the gesture as “amazing” and “incredible”.

“It is far above what you would expect anyone to do,” she said.

“Let alone a company that’s so busy at this time of year. It was heartwarming.”

The Atkinson family’s fundraising appeal aims to pay for the only form of treatment for EB - a specialist bath which injects micro-air bubbles into the water, which gently exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin and scabs.

The family also want to build a one-bedroom extension to accommodate specialist bathing and changing facilities.

They estimate that the building costs the extension with bathroom will cost £17,000, the bath £5,000 and have budgeted £3,000 for decorating and maintenance.

Mrs Atkinson added:“Last Christmas Pippa was very young and had full bandages. It wasn’t an enjoyable time.

“It was really hard but we’re looking forward to having a really fun and adventurous Christmas this year.”

For more information, visit just.ly/helpingpippa or search for ‘Terry Howell Timber & Builders Merchants’ on Facebook.