THE FAMILY of a six-year-old girl with cerebral palsy have collectively committed to walking 800 miles in her honour this month.
After celebrating World Cerebral Palsy Day on October 6, the family of Fearne Disbury decided to mark her sixth birthday with a pledge to walk six hundred miles between them in the month of October.
However, after smashing their target with more than a week to go, the seven youngsters - aged between four and twelve - have upped the ante by an extra 200 miles.
Tracking their mileage through individual fitbit watches, Fearne's sisters and cousins - Poppy, Molly, Sam, Alice, Ben, Lucy and Alfie - have been getting their steps in every day, from walking to school, playing football and going out for long walks at the weekend.
While showing their love for Fearne, the youngster's challenge is also raising funds for Alder Hey Children's Hospital, where Ferne has been a frequent visitor throughout her life and will undergo life-changing neurosurgery there next year.
Fearne's mum Emma, said: "Cerebral palsy affects Fearne every single day, but she doesn't let it get to her. She is determined to do anything she wants to do."
Cerebral palsy affects Fearne in a number of different ways, including her movement, speech and digestive system.
As she struggles with walking and mostly gets by on her tip toes or by a wheelchair, her operation will cut the nerves on her spine in the hope to improve her mobility and finally allow her to walk with her feet flat on the floor.
While Fearne will undergo the life-changing neurosurgery at Alder Hey early next year, Emma explains the cost of each operation is a mammoth £30,000, with not all children with cerebral palsy eligible for the treatment.
With this in mind, the family decided to raise the money for the neurology department at Alder Hey to show their gratitude for their treatment of Fearne, but also in the hope that they can assist others to receive the treatment.
At present, the kid's walking challenge has raised more than £1,000 for the hospice, with an additional £206 raised at Fearne's school, Sherdley Primary as they celebrated World Cerebral Palsy with her earlier this month.
With Ferne getting out to walk with her family as much as she can, she will join them all for the last mile in Sherdley Park on October 31.
To donate to Fearne's fundraiser, click here
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