SIX members of staff from Witton Middle School are training to take part in the Crowle 10k race on May 10 to raise money for a cause close to all of their hearts.

The staff members will be fundraising for the Neuro Foundation, in support of one of the school’s pupils, Ella Sunderland.

Ella was diagnosed three years ago with the genetic condition Neurofibramatosis, which can cause sometimes painful tumours to grow along her nerves, both inside her body and on her skin.

Ella’s mum Diane Sunderland, said: “Sufferers and their families live with the constant threat of tumours and the uncertainty of where they will grow next. It is like a ticking time-bomb and can be terrifying. There is no cure.

“There are approximately 25,000 sufferers in the UK that's more than those with Muscular Dystrophy, Cystic Fibrosis and Huntington's put together; yet few including health professionals have heard of it.”

Ella and her family spend a large amount of time in and out of hospital, and the charity provides advice and information to help them deal with the condition.

Mrs Sunderland added: “I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Witton Middle School. It gives us as a family hope and reassurance that people do care and want to help this common but little heard of condition.”

To add to the fundraising efforts visit justgiving.com/d-sunderland/.