A GROUP of Haverfordwest women will be pounding the streets of Cardiff this weekend, running the city’s half marathon to raise money for a very special young lady.

Belle Curran, of Wolfscastle, was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) at the age of two. This is a rare condition which means that Belle’s lungs, rather than being spongy, are stiff, hard and scarred making breathing a huge effort.

Nine-year-old Belle relies on a wheelchair to get about and is on permanent oxygen. She also has to take a combination of steroids, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-acid, vitamin D, and various inhalers.

This summer Belle’s family received confirmation that she had been put on the waiting list for a lung transplant and are hopeful that a donor will be found, allowing her, in the words of mum Stella, “a new , better, exciting future full of fun and love and to fulfil all of her many dreams”.

A group of Stella’s friends, some of whom are members of Haverfordwest Ladies Circle, are running the Cardiff half marathon this Sunday, October 1, to raise awareness of ILD and the need for more organ donation in the UK and to raise money to make Belle’s life easier.

They are hoping to raise at least £1,700 to buy equipment to help the Curran family put equipment in place to make Belle’s life more bearable and to buy technology so that she can continue her studies at home.

“I am overwhelmed by the sheer drive, commitment, and determination these girls are showing,” said Stella. “I am truly honoured to call them my friends. Belle and I will be at the finish line to great each and every one of these amazing ladies on Sunday.”

Haverfordwest Ladies Circle added:

“Please please support us on our run and donate as much as you can to help support Belle. Every penny she receives will be used to help make her more comfortable and happy, she so deserves it.”

To donate to Belle’s cause visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/belles-story. To find out more about Belle’s condition visit www.facebook.com/pg/Belles-story.