DOZENS of drummers in bright yellow outfits will march into Saltaire to mark the end of a charity walk for a girl with an incurable illness.

Ten-year-old Grace Hitchens has a condition called Niemann Pick Type C which means her brain is slowly its ability to control her body.

And while her twin sister, Emily, is unaffected, she had a brother, Harry, who lost his fight against the same condition aged seven.

Money raised by generous well-wishers paid for Grace to visit Disneyland last year with her sister and parents, Carl and Fiona.

Mrs Hitchens, of Eldwick, Bingley, said: "Grace can't eat any more and has to be tube fed, but apart from that there's been little change.

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"And she's really enjoying going to Chellow Heights special school in Bradford four days a week.

"She still goes to St Joseph's Primary in Bingley once a week to keep in touch with all her friends.

"Grace had to have a little operation during the Easter holidays, but typically was brilliant and so happy to come home - especially now the weather is getting better.

"She loves being outside and a brilliant thing we've bought with some donated money is an all-terrain buggy which can be pushed anywhere, or attached to the back of Carl's bike.

"Graces loves being behind her dad on his bike. And it's great because it means we are not restricted where we can go and can spend plenty of time outdoors."

Grace has also received a £2,079 standing frame enabling her to hold herself upright from leading UK children’s disability charity Newlife Foundation.

On Sunday, it is the annual Drumming for Grace Day when friends and organisers Steve Jannetta and Marina Waymouth are doing a sponsored walk from Skipton to Roberts Park.

They hope to get as many adults and children walking with them, banging drums and wearing yellow to raise awareness of the illness.

"The walk will end at Robert's Park Bandstand where there will be a band playing and hopefully a balloon release," Mrs Hitchens said.

"It was a brilliant event last year and we had so many people joining us on the last leg of the walk it would be wonderful if we can spread the word again."

The 16-mile canalside walk leaves Skipton railway station at 9.30am and the drummers aim to be in Roberts Park at about 3pm.

Later that evening, bands will be taking part in an event called Grace Aid at the Baildon Live Lounge.

For full details on meeting points and times contact Mrs Hitchens at fiona@carlhitchens.com.

  • Carl Hitchens and friend John Conroy are running the London Marathon in aid of Martin House Children's Hospice and donations can be made at justgiving.com/Fiona-Dunne2/