The family of a three-old girl, who is one of only 300 children in the world known to suffer from a rare illness, is halfway to reaching a fundraising target for a new wheelchair.

Sophie Saunders, of Winters Way in Waltham Abbey, suffers from Ullrich Muscular Dystrophy. The illness causes extreme muscle weakness and is known to reduce life expectancy significantly. Due to additional breathing problems, Sophie is expected to live until the age of 12. 

If the goal is reached, the £15,000 high-tech wheelchair will improve Sophie’s mobility. She will be able to move herself around without an adult and adjust the height to sit at the dinner table with the rest of her family.   

Sophie’s mother, Natalie Moss, 25, added: “This chair would last Sophie for the rest of her life. It would give her her independence.”

The family began fundraising just three weeks ago, but with the help of the local community, have now raised between £7,000 and £8,000.

A collection of Co-operative food stores in the local area are responsible for around £4,500 alone. The Cheshunt, Waltham Abbey and Harlow branches have held dress up days in recent weeks to help raise funds for the three-year old.

The Co-op has also announced plans to stage Co-op’s Got Talent, a local version of the popular TV show Britain’s Got Talent. Three-year old Sophie is set to join the judging panel alongside three Co-operative regional managers.

Miss Moss added: “The Co-op is actually doing a Grand Finale fundraiser on the last weekend in September. They haven’t told us what it’s going to be.”   

Tomorrow Sophie will serve as the mascot at Harlow football stadium in front of 200 people.

Miss Moss said: “She will be very nervous but she’s excited to go and she knows it’s to raise money for her special wheelchair.”

At half-time her parents, along with some Co-operative employees, will also take on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.