A CONVOY of around 50 trucks will form on the M60 on Sunday afternoon in aid of a three-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who is set to have a major operation.

Heidi Patterson, from Walkden, is unable to walk or talk, has sight problems and is hard of hearing.

She also had dislocated hips and is having a operation at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool in May to correct the dislocation.

In preparation for the treatment, Heidi's family are raising money to hire an oxygen chamber to use before and after the surgery to help with her recovery.

Extra money raised will go towards treatment for Heidi such as hydrotherapy.

The community has already pulled together in organising bake sales, race nights and raffles to raise funds, and now a kind-hearted group of truckers are giving up time on Easter Sunday to create a convoy for the cause.

The event has been organised by haulage company owner Lee Davy, whose sister Donna Allan knows Heidi after she attended the nursery she works at.

The convoy will set off from Birch Services at 1pm on the day.

Heidi lives with her mum Sinéad, dad Steven, 35, and sister Isla, two.

Steven, 35, said: "Sinéad and I are bowled over by the generosity of people, many of whom we have never met.

"Organising an event like this, especially during a pandemic is no mean feat and we are truly grateful to those who have put time and effort into organising and participating in the event.

"Twelve months ago we had to cancel a Mother’s Day fundraiser in Ireland due to the pandemic, so this feels like a really positive step."

Despite the difficulties his young daughter has faced in her life, Steven says she is coping really well.

He added: "Heidi has a really big smile and loves the sun and sitting in the back garden.

"She is really coming on at school.

"She loves swimming and goes to the Jubilee Pool in Bolton."

To visit the GoFundMe crowdfunding page for the convoy event click here.