A Great Chesterford dad-of-three is taking on a gruelling cycle race for a friend's nine-year-old, who has a rare genetic condition.
Revenue director Ben Oakshott, 46, will tackle the Dragon Race on Sunday, June 23 to help family friend Winnie Heath, from Saffron Walden.
Winnie, who lives with mum Fiona Eldridge, dad James and sisters Molly, 11, and Wanda, seven, had to be resuscitated at birth and several times within her first 24 hours.
She is completely blind, unable to walk and has very limited speech, and also has epilepsy and problems with her heart and kidneys.
Winnie was recently diagnosed with a variation of the CDK8 gene, and her family is fundraising to buy equipment and therapy to help Winnie communicate and gain more strength and movement.
In spite of her challenges, Winnie is bright and intelligent, and loves listening to music and being read to.
Winnie's mum Fiona said: "We are so grateful to Ben for taking on this challenge for Winnie.
"The costs involved for Winnie’s therapy, care and most recently, house adaptions are enormous and it is hard not to feel you are failing her when we can’t meet all these costs.
"The money Ben raises in his challenge will go towards Winnie’s physio and speech therapy, but will also help us towards paying to install and service a preloved hydro bath that we received via a donation through the Each hospice from another family whose daughter very sadly died.
"Winnie loves the water, and I am so excited about the thought that we will soon be able to give her a place to move around in it safely without getting too cold!
"The strength she builds from moving in the water is enormous and will really help towards her physio targets as well as being a wonderful way for her to relax when she feels overwhelmed."
There are four options for the Dragon Race through the Brecon Beacons - and Ben will be taking on the 'Medio Fondo' route, which is 157km long with 2,223 metres of vertical climb.
To donate and help Ben reach is £1,000 target go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cycling-the-dragon-for-winnie.
You can also donate to a general fundraiser for Winnie at https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/ways-to-give/childrens-campaigns/help-winnie-to-walk-and-talk/.
Ben, who also completed the Dragon Race last year, said: "I know Winnie’s family because our daughters go to the school that Winnie’s sisters Molly and Wanda attend.
"I’m in awe of her two parents who work long hours for the NHS as well as parenting three girls, fundraising and their constant efforts to do their absolute best for Winnie.
"I’m delighted to be able to help with fundraising in this way."
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Winnie's family is being supported by children's charity Tree of Hope, which helps children with healthcare needs where the NHS cannot support them.
Tree of Hope head of marketing and family support Georgina Lowry said: "We’re really pleased to be supporting Winnie’s fundraising.
"We wish Ben the best of luck with the Dragon Race and are here to support however we can."
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