TRIPPING could prove a stumbling block as a team of festive fundraisers attempt to dash seven miles tied together with tinsel.

A total of 13 runners are set to don their Christmas jumpers and take part in the Longridge Christmas Pudding Run this Sunday (December 8) for new Radcliffe-based charity Ethan’s Gift.

Ethan’s Gift, founded by 38-year-old mum-of-two Karen Hogg, of Pilkington Road, funds the purchase of toys and equipment for children with disabilities.

It is named after Radcliffe eight-year-old Ethan Crawford, a pupil at Millwood Primary Special School where Karen is a teaching assistant and the grandson of two of the charity’s trustees.

Ethan, who uses a wheelchair, has a congenital brain condition and learning difficulties.

Karen said: “As a charity we ask parents across the UK what they feel their child would most benefit from and then raise the money to buy that item for the family.

“Lots of us work at Millwood and have spent a lot of time fundraising for the school, which now has fantastic state-of-the-art equipment – but parents simply can’t afford to buy this kit for their homes.”

Of the thirteen-strong group of runners, eight are from Radcliffe with the other participants from Bolton, Edgworth and Lancaster.

The current aim for Ethan’s Gift is to raise £600 for Ramsbottom 11-year-old Hannah Petterson, who has rare chromosomal condition 1p36 deletion syndrome.

Wheelchair-bound Hannah has curvature of the spine and the £600 will be used to fund a special cushioned mould which will allow her to comfortably sit upright.

Mum Wendy Petterson said Hannah, who is a pupil at Elms Bank Specialist Arts College in Whitefield, will benefit hugely from the cushion which creates a vacuum around her to hold her in place so she can sit up unaided.

She said: “Hannah gets a bad chest and it will make a huge difference to her health for her to be able to comfortably sit up straight.

“It is absolutely amazing Ethan’s Gift are going to provide this for us – it will make a huge difference to Hannah’s life. There are so many children missing out on so much because parents and carers can’t afford it.”

Eight of the thirteen-strong running group are from Radcliffe with the other participants from Bolton, Edgworth and Lancaster and there are two trustees of the charity who cannot take part in the run.

Ethan’s Gift are also holding a charity fun night at the Victoria Inn in Ainsworth Road on December 19 at 7.30pm which will feature food, a raffle, a quiz and charity waxing.

For more information or to make a donation: go to youcaring.com/nonprofits/ethan-s-gift/108495 or search Ethan’s Gift on Facebook.