A WIRRAL mum was joined by 11 of her fitness friends when she took on the Pretty Muddy challenge to raise funds for a charity close to her heart.

Michelle Finnigan, from, New Brighton, signed up to complete the 5k muddy obstacle course to raise cash for the charity that looked after her daughter Grace during some of the most difficult periods of her life so far.

Grace was diagnosed with rare disease Langerhan’s Cell Histiocytosis just before her first birthday and is now undergoing weekly chemotherapy at Alder Hey Hospital’s oncology unit.

“She has got tumours on her lungs – it’s not cancer but it is treated like cancer,” explained mum Michelle.

“Grace is coping really well with everything, she’s brilliant and she’s amazing.”

Wirral Globe:
Michelle and baby Grace.

Michelle and 11 friends from New Era Fitness hoped to give something back to Alder Hey when they took parat in Pretty Muddy in Sefton Park earlier this month.

“Our target was £1,000, and we are up to £2,000 which is wonderful. This brings the total raised for Alder Hey since last September £12,000. We’ve got plenty more fundraising in the pipeline.”

Last year saw Michelle and her mother-in-law Carol jump out of a plane from the dizzying heights of 10,000 ft to raise funds for Alder Hey.

At the time she said: “We feel compelled to raise as much money as possible for the oncology unit in an effort to show our gratitude for the excellent care that Grace has received.”

Grace, who turns two in a few weeks, is still under the care of Alder Hey but currently having a break from her treatment.

Michelle added: “She’s doing well in herself, she’s brilliant, she’s a brave little girl.”