A LEADING charity for a marginalised disorder that affects one in 10 women has held an awareness fundraising event in Ruthin.

Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales (FTWW), the charity for people living with endometriosis, held a screening of the frontier film Endo What?, which sets out to break the myths and taboos surrounding endometriosis, an often painful disorder affecting women in which tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus is displaced within the body and does not leave as it typically would with menstruation.

The film aims to address the myths and taboos surrounding the disorder and its marginalised importance in society and the health sector, despite being a common experience for women.

The sold-out screening of the film was held at Manorhaus, the acclaimed boutique hotel in Ruthin, and raised £300 for the charity.

Samantha Hickson, event organiser for FTWW, said: "I am delighted with the success of the Endo What? film night. Not only has this event helped to raise some vital funds for the patient-led voluntary organisation Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales, but it has served to further highlight the prevalence and impact of endometriosis.

“Raising awareness of this debilitating and little-understood, chronic disease, which affects one in 10 women, is the only way we can begin to avoid the typical diagnostic and treatment delay that women are currently experiencing."

The screening was attended by members of the public, FTWW campaigners and women who have first-hand experience of the disorder.

Also in attendance was artist Grace Woolford, from Ruthin, whose work was exhibited at the event. Ms Woolford said: “I find creating artwork based on the struggles I experience extremely therapeutic and uplifting. It’s hard to put into words the amount of pain the condition causes, so I put it into my art in the hope that people will understand a little better.

“Using my art as therapy and having the endless amount of support I've received from FTWW has really helped me through what has been an awful year, and I can’t thank them enough."

Anne Roberts, councillor for Ruthin, said: "The fundraiser certainly got the message across, particularly in conjunction with the use of social media.

"Well done to the organisers of the event and to Manorhaus for hosting it."