THE parents of a little girl who will never walk today thanked the dozens of fund-raisers who have come their aid -- and collected more than £14,000.

Two-year-old Lauren Howorth, of Church, suffers from spinal muscular atrophy -- SMA -- a condition which, although rare in this country, does affect many more people in America.

She will only ever walk with sticks or callipers and by the time she is eight she will confined to a wheelchair, which means she faces spending a lifetime being supported by friends and family.

Her parents, Shirley Holdsworth and Stephen Howorth, of Grimshaw Street, Church, launched the Keep Lauren Smiling campaign after she was diagnosed last year to try and raise money for the expensive equipment they will need.

At the forefront of their minds was making sure she had an electric wheelchair which will see her into her adult years -- something which the state does not pay for.

Now, after nearly two years, their fund-raising total stands at more than £14,000, with more money pouring in every week.

Shirley said: "People have been wonderful. We couldn't have asked for any more. Strangers have come to our house and dropped money off. Pensioners have left envelopes. People have foregone birthday presents and asked for money to come to us.

"There is so much Lauren needs to make her life more comfortable. Things as simple as special booster seats for when she is in the car cost £300. Her wheelchair will cost a fortune.

"We also have to make sure she swims a lot but she cannot use the local swimming pool. We have to hire the one at the Dunkenhalgh which costs £1,000 a year. "The thing which seems to have touched people the most is that, despite everything life has thrown at her, Lauren is always smiling.

"It is just heartbreaking for us now that she is becoming conscious of the fact other youngsters her age are running around. She is a bright girl and it frustrates her."

But Lauren is set to become mobile within weeks after her parents received news that her first electric wheelchair was on its way, thanks to lobbying both by Shirley and Stephen and from Hyndburn MP Greg Pope.

Lauren became ill when she was about nine months old. She began to vomit and refuse food, and and began dragging her legs behind her.

Tests revealed a rare chromosome disorder, inherited from her mum and dad.

The news devastated Shirley and Stephen, but they set about finding out as much information about SMA as they could, from organisations such as the Jennifer Trust in Warwickshire, and the Internet.

They also met a family whose 10-year-old daughter is suffering the same disorder.

Recent fund-raising events have included an 11,000 ft parachute jump, a sponsored slim at Leoni in Altham, a sponsored cycle and a charity night held at the Springhill Working Men's Club.

Stephen, who attended the charity night with his wife and daughter, added: "We just want people to know just how much we appreciate the support we have had.

"It means so much to know so many people care."