A KIND-hearted Rawtenstall landlord is holding a family fun day today (Sunday) to raise cash for a baby with a rare genetic disease.

Robert Holmes, who runs the Red Lion, in Newchurch Road, is hosting the charity event to raise cash for 10-month-old Mila Sherring to go to America to receive treatment for tuberous sclerosis.

The condition has left little Mila suffering from tumours on her brain, heart and lungs caused by the condition.

Some of the drugs used to treat this condition are not available on the NHS in the UK and her parents Kathy-Anne Clark and Mark Sherring are now trying to raise £40,000 to get her to America.

The family now live in Salford after moving from Bury.

The condition affects one in every 6,000 infants born worldwide.

Mr Holmes, 63, said he and his wife Paula were touched by the family’s struggle after meeting a close friend of the family’s at a football fundraiser at Rawtenstall Cricket Club.

He said: “It’s just so sad that the family have to go through this and we want to do whatever we can to help them.

“They would have to wait until Mila is two to get the treatment on the NHS, which Kathy-Ann and Mark don’t want to have to do.

“It would be great if we could get a lot of people down tomorrow and raise a good amount to give to the family’s cause.

“It will be a really good do. We’re going to have plenty going on for adults and children.”

Family friend of Mila’s parents, Helen Maguire, from Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall, said: “There are so many people rallying round to try and help them.

“People have been jumping out of aeroplanes and holding events and all sorts to try and get them the money they need. A lot of people really care about it and it’s fantastic.”

So far the fundraising total stands at £21,000.