A mother has made an emotional plea for people to sign up to 'Sparkle Walk' in aid of a children's hospice.

Jaycee Wharfe from Enfield is trying to raise money by asking adults to participate in a 10km Sparkle Walk in aid of Haven House Children's Hospice in Woodford.

She will be one of 200 people taking part in the event and is urging others to join her.

The hospice provides specialist care for children who are seriously ill or have a life-limiting condition and currently cares for Miss Wharfe's three-year-old son Finnley.

The 27-year-old mum said: "Finnley is visually impaired, has epilepsy and severe global delay.

"He struggles to remain upright without support.

"He needs a lot of different medication and we regularly use a suction machine and oxygen for him at night.

"Sadly, there’s no cure for Finnley’s condition, but with support from Haven House Children’s Hospice we can help give him the best quality of life.

"We love going to Haven House and seeing the improvement that Finnley has made."

Miss Wharfe first became aware that her son had a cleft lip 31 weeks into her pregnancy and two days after he was born, doctors carried out an MRI scan and diagnosed holoprosencephaly, a rare genetic condition resulting in incomplete brain development.

She has found support for Finnley through Haven House Children's Hospice - where he enjoys music therapy, yoga and play sessions.

The family also benefit from the hospice's Toy Home Loan scheme which has enabled Finnley to access specialist toys which the family would not be able to afford.

The Sparkle Walk will take place on Friday, May 10, starting at Christchurch Green in Wanstead and concluding at The Cuckfield in Wanstead travelling across Epping Forest, South Woodford and Wanstead.

Miss Wharfe will be taking part with eleven of her friends and family.

She said: "Haven House is such a special place to my little family. I cannot imagine how we would have coped without Haven House. Every time we walk in to the hospice, it’s like we are walking into a big hug. The staff are so friendly and couldn’t’ be more helpful.

"The hospice is a calm, safe and extraordinary place for anybody facing difficult times. We feel privileged to have their support. This is why I am taking part in the Sparkle Walk. I need to say thank you for such support and kindness and words aren’t enough.

"I really hope more people in the local area can support the charity and sign up to the Sparkle Walk. It’s important to give back to the hospice, which is our local children’s hospice, because it relies on donations and supporters for 80 per cent of its funding."

Participants must be aged 13 or over and entry costs £15 - each registration includes a t-shirt and a glass of fizz.

To sign up, visit https://www.havenhouse.org.uk/event/sparklewalk2019