Climbing mountains for Millie

Vicky Shaw with her granddaughter Mollie Moran

FAMILY and friends are rallying round to pay for equipment and treatment for a little girl with a unique set of medical conditions.

Millie Moran is 18 months old and has already had 20 operations and spent 17 months in St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester.

The Royton toddler has a rare, 8cm wide gap in her spine, a damaged pancreas and spina bifida, as well as other serious conditions. Doctors believe she could be the only child in the world with this combination of illnesses.

Now Millie’s dad Michael and Vicky’s nephew, Barry Bradley and their friends are undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge — climbing the highest mountains in Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike) and Wales (Snowdon) within 24 hours — to raise cash.

They are also looking for people to join them on the Manchester 10k run in May.

Vicky has already had success in randomly contacting companies for help: “I just want to say a big thank-you to everyone who has helped us,’ she said.

Since birth, Millie has been prone to infections and has only been at home for four weeks — spending two Christmases in hospital. Parents Michael and Emma live with her there.

The gap in Millie’s back needs to be closed in an operation performed by a top neurosurgeon at St Mary's.

To help raise funds, to donate money to the climbers or take part in the 10k to benefit Millie, visit www.themilliecharity.org.uk