TWO cousins from south Manchester told the nation about living with the rare genetic condition albinism - live on the BBC Children In Need Appeal show.

BBC Children In Need funds Henshaws Society for Blind People’s innovative Asian family link project and they were so impressed, they asked cousins Nasar Nawaz, aged 12 and Wasim Khan, 11 to tell their stories in a film, shown on the main show.

Nasar and Wasim have albinism, which means they have a lack of pigment in their eyes, skin and hair. Both lads also have a visual impairment. The boys say living with albinism can be tough, often because of people’s perceptions.

Said Wasim: "I may look different and I may have problems with my sight, but I don’t feel any different to other kids my age. Strangers have shouted names at me and I have been teased at school."

From birth, both boys and their families have received support from Henshaws.

Nasar said: "Often people don’t even believe that I am Asian. They don’t want to know me as a person, they only see me for the way I look. That is why I love going to Henshaws - I fit in there."

As a thank you for sharing their stories, the lads were invited as VIP guests at the live BBC Children In Need Appeal show. They rubbed shoulders with celebrities including the stars of Strictly Come Dancing and Eastenders at an exclusive aftershow party.

"It was brilliant! We got loads of people coming up to us because they saw us on the video so we felt like celebrities too!" said Nasar.

"We hope that the film helps the Children In Need Appeal to raise money for charities like Henshaws that have helped us so much," he added.