A team of bakers from Ramsey are swapping their oven gloves for trainers as they tackle a mammoth race on behalf on a four-year-old girl.

Ella Brady was diagnosed with the condition Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) in January, and her mum, Lucy, has made it her mission to raise funds for research into the condition

To do this she has signed up to take part in Muscular Dystrophy UK‘s Cambridge Town and Gown 10k on October 25.

Lucy, owner of the Windmill Bakery, in Great Whyte, said: “There isn’t really a treatment for Charcot-Marie-Tooth at the moment and you can feel a bit helpless as a parent at times. We feel that fundraising is a positive action that we can take for Ella.”

The Busy Bees Nursery youngster was thought to be a clumsy toddler, who fell over frequently. She was then referred to specialists after a physiotherapist spotted some worrying symptoms.

CMT affects the nervous system, with a particular impact on the muscles of the feet, lower legs, hands and forearms. Like many people with the condition, the tight muscles in Ella’s feet cause them to turn under and inwards, causing pain and problems with her balance.

“We are so proud of Ella. She is a really bubbly, lively little girl, who doesn’t let CMT get in her way. It is really hard to see her in pain at night though, and she can’t go outside without splints on to help support her,” added Mrs Brady.

The mum of one will conquer the run alongside colleagues, friends and family members including her husband Andrew.

“Taking on the Cambridge Town and Gown 10k was my sister Sophie’s idea. My husband has been a runner in the past, but it’s new for me, and we are training together at the moment.

“When my legs get tired, I think ‘Ella can’t just switch off the pain, the tiredness in her legs. Why should I get to do that? We are all at different levels in our team, and I think whether you run the whole race or not, just by taking part you are doing a really great thing,” added Mrs Brady.

As well watching her friends and family race Ella will also be at the starting line to sound the claxon for all the runners.

Since launching in 2012, the Cambridge Town and Gown 10k has raised £120,000 towards Muscular Dystrophy UK’s work.

To sponsor Lucy and the team go to www.justgiving.com/Ella-Brady/?utm_id=13