A FAMILY is taking on a 12-mile challenge to thank those who helped save their daughter when she was seriously ill.

Just a few days after Maya Ratcliffe was born she contracted meningitis and was rushed to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

The little girl, now aged five, has also fought spina bifida, hydrocephalus, epilepsy and reconstruction surgery to her pelvis and hip joints after treatment at both Bolton and surgery at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Now Maya’s family and friends will be walking from the Bolton to Manchester to raise money for the two hospitals.

The family will be travelling from their home in Cambridgeshire for the Little Light Walk on Saturday which will also raise funds for children’s charity Bliss and awareness of meningitis.

Mum Fay Dovey, who is originally from Tonge Moor, said: “We are thankful for the amazing staff at Bolton hospital who were working that day.

“Their fast assessment and treatment saved our daughter’s life.

“Some may say ‘well that is their job’, but to do their job day in day out, to not only treat our daughter but to support us through what was the worst days of our lives and to hold everything together, is, in our eyes, amazing.

“We are doing the walk to say as massive thank you to all the staff at both hospitals and to the charity Bliss, which supported us every step of the way.

“We also want to raise as much awareness as we can about meningitis because our story could have been far different if we hadn’t taken her to the hospital when we did.”

After major surgery last year to reconstruct her pelvis and hip joints, she has learnt to walk using a special walking frame and learnt to swim.

She has also gone on to complete two five kilometre wheelchair events, a half marathon and Parallel 2016 at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

Ms Dovey added: “Today she is a very happy, full of spirit, five-year-old who started school in September. She is full of life and so strong and determined.

“We hope she continues to show the world what she is capable of and inspiring, changing attitudes and perceptions along the way.”

The walk sets off at 3pm from Bolton Hospital and is open to anyone who would like to join.

To find out more visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/litttlelighttswalkmanchesterhospital.