A DAD will complete a series of charity cycling challenges for his one-year-old daughter, who suffers from an incurable disease that means she may never walk.

Willow Ollerenshaw, from Davyhulme, was diagnosed with rare muscle wasting condition merosin deficient congenital muscular dystrophy in February, aged 13 months.

As a result dad Mark, aged 39, of Bent Lane, will attempt various cycling events over the coming year for research charity the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

This will culminate in a gruelling 1,000-mile bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats next summer.

Jaclyn, aged 35, gave birth to Willow in January 2011 but when she was four-months-old, the family realised she was not developing normally.

Mark, also dad to Nicholas, aged five, said: “Willow still wasn’t able to sit up on her own and she seemed very weak in her arms and legs.

“Her neck muscles didn't seem strong enough for her to hold her head either.”

The concerned couple took her to see specialists at Trafford General Hospital, who referred her for blood tests at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, in Liverpool.

It was there that doctors diagnosed Willow with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD).

Mark added: “Our world fell apart. We still don’t know the full extent of Willow’s CMD as it is very rare for girls to suffer from it.

“Willow basically has very little strength is her arms or legs, this means she can’t crawl or even role over.

“She has however learnt how to hold her head up which is amazing. She may never be able to walk or run or jump, but she lights up our lives every day with her beautiful smile and her patience in coping with her disability.”

Willow had surgery in January, during which a small piece of muscle was taken from her thigh.

This led to the full diagnosis of the rare merosin deficient strain of the disease the following month.

Mark, who thanked the early years development team at Trafford General Hospital for their support, said: “Everyday with Willow is amazing and special. We still have no idea as to whether she will have a full and long life as some children with CMD tragically don’t live past infancy.

“I'm determined to try and raise as much money as I can to help in the research of this disease and also to find other families in the north west who are affected by this disease.”

Last month, Mark completed the 102-mile Wiggle Cheshire Cat ride in seven hours 13 minutes.

The next event in his diary is the 52-mile Great Manchester Cycle, on June 4.

To sponsor or contact Mark, visit justgiving.com/Mark-Ollerenshaw or e-mail ridingforwillow@hotmail.co.uk.

FEB 28, 2013 A DAVYHULME toddler is making moves to a more independent life – thanks to her family’s local Spar.

When Willow Rose Ollerenshaw, aged two, who suffers from muscular dystrophy (MD), needed help raising £4,000 to purchase a wheelchair, the manager of the Lostock Road store, Jon Mitchell, stepped up to the challenge.

Jon enlisted the help of 10 other stores across the north west to raise £765, a major boost towards helping the family buy a Wizzy Bug, a wheelchair specially designed for disabled children.

Willow’s dad, Mark Ollerenshaw, 40, from Bent Lanes, said: “We have been so overwhelmed with the support given by The Spar and my family and myself wanted to say a massive thank you to them and everyone who donated.”

Willow suffers from a rare form of the MD which affects less than 500 people worldwide.

She cannot walk or run, she is unable to crawl, roll over or sit unaided and so the chair she needs is extremely posture specific.

The British Institute of Medical Engineering has loaned Willow a Wizzy Bug until enough funds can be raised to purchase the chair which she needs to take her through nursery and school.

Jon, 40, decided to get involved after a chance meeting with Willow’s mum, Jaclyn, at the store, when he learned of Willow’s condition.

He said: “Because we are local, it gives staff at each store a sense of community when we can come together for a good cause.”

The family also thanked Davyhulme Post Office who collected a further £150 for the Wizzy Bug fund.

Dad-of-two Mark is now planning future fundraising events to raise the remaining money, including a bike ride from Land End to John O’Groats, and is looking for businesses to sponsor the challenge.

To sponsor the event email: ridingforwillow@hotmail.co.uk