Chesterfield twins pledge to walk marathon fundraiser to give sick cousin the 'best Christmas ever'

Eight-year-old twins Noah and Laila from Newbold aim to walk 1,000 steps a day with their mum, Louise Bailey, 46, to raise money for their miniature hero Zachy Blackburn, who has intestinal failure as well as a brain tumour.

The challenge to walk the equivalent of 26 miles between them is no mean feat for the young pair as Noah, who has cerebral palsy and limited mobility, needs to use a walking frame.

Noah and Laila are determined to raise money for their cousin, who has autism and a learning disability called hydrocephalus, after he spent 10 months in hospital last year and now requires 24 hour palliative care.

The eight-year-old pair hope to help him have ‘the best Christmas ever’ as Zachy’s parents fear they could lose their house after they were forced to give up both of their jobs to care for their son and plunged into debt.

Louise said: "They are under a massive amount of stress because they are losing their little boy and they are also at risk of losing the property that they rent which is all set up with a sensory room.

“This then impacts on them being able to spend money on taking him out for the day or buying him gifts for his birthday and Christmas.

"I am having his mum come to me crying saying he can't do all these things, he can't make all these memories with them because they can't afford it and they are in debt with the mortgage and the utility bills and everything else."

Zachy, who uses a wheelchair and is on strong pain-relief medication, is unable to process food and is fed by total parenteral nutrition (TPN), a fluid which is injected into the veins to provide vital nutrients.

The mum of four continued: "The family is really fighting to keep him alive while the pain is not too much to manage because he's on really heavy pain medication everyday.

"He is in pain everyday but they are doing their best to try and make memories with him.

"He's not got years left and his mum is thinking let's make this Christmas the best Christmas ever.”

The money the twins raise will go towards presents for their cousin and day trips to Zachy’s favourite places, such as the National Railway Museum in York and Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

Noah and Laila have walked a total of 3.5 kilometres and raised £723 of their £10,000 target since they started the challenge on Monday, November 23 to celebrate their cousin’s 10th birthday.

Louise added: "I am just really proud of them, they have their own things to contend with so I am just proud that they would think about their cousin.

"They just want to provide him the opportunity to do the things he loves while he can and while he isn't in too much pain."

To donate to Noah and Laila’s fundraiser, click here.

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