A SIX-year-old sports enthusiast has set himself the challenge of running a marathon distance of 26 miles this month in aid of a Wirral charity helping children with cerebral palsy - and needs your support.

Harry Edwards will be raising money for Wallasey and Runcorn-based Stick 'n' Step, as part of The 2.6 Challenge, a campaign to save the UK's charities.

He loves sport and with no football, rugby or park run to take part in during lockdown he is enjoying running in his local area instead. He decided to challenge himself by running a marathon distance.

He has chosen to raise money for Stick 'n' Step as his 18-year-old cousin Cordelia Cowsill has attended conductive education classes at the charity’s Wallasey centre since she was three years old.

Conductive education gives children with cerebral a chance to gain the skills they need to live independent lives.

100 children from across the region now attend these sessions weekly at the charity’s Wallasey and Runcorn centres.

Cordelia's family believe the charity has worked miracles to help her learn to walk when many people thought she never would.

Stick 'n' Step, like so many charities across the UK, has been hugely impacted by the cancellation of thousands of fundraising events due to COVID-19.

In response, the organisers of the biggest mass participation sports events across the country have created a new campaign to raise vital funds to help UK charities' fundraising.

The 2.6 Challenge is open to anyone of any age – the only requirement is that the activity must follow the Government guidelines on exercise and social distancing and remember to stay local.

Stick'n'Step's head of fundraising, Jenny Snell said: "We are very impressed by Harry taking on such a challenge, especially as he is only six.

"Cordelia is an extremely determined character too, so it clearly runs in the family!

"Go Harry!"

To support Harry's marathon effort, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/harrys-marathon-in-may-26-challenge.

For more information on The 2.6 Challenge, visit www.twopointsixchallenge.co.uk.