A one-year-old girl with a rare disease who 'fought for her little life' is the inspiration for Ashby Netball Club's fundraising world record attempt in the new year.

The event will aim to raise money for the Midlands-based charity Kids Village - which is the UK's first purpose-built holiday venue just for children with critical illness and their families.

Ashby Netball Club are hosting a 24-hour netball marathon and a Guinness World Record attempt - along with a number of events leading up to this main event beforehand to try and get some additional exposure.

It will be taking place on the weekend of February 4-5, with over 30 participants and 20 officials to validate a world record for the number of netball goals scored in a 24 hour period.

Ashby Netball Club will be attempting to set a new world record

But the idea came from Ashby-based mum Carla Garey who said: "This attempt was inspired by my own little girl who is one year old and has had a very difficult life due to a challenging, rare and incurable health condition called Hirschsprung disease, amongst other health problems, 

"She has spent lots of time in hospital and had life saving surgery at just three months old."

A gofundme page HERE has been set up where people can donate to the cause.

Here, Carla gives more details about the background to the fundraiser.

One year old Evelyn underwent life saving surgery

She says: "There is always a reason behind any idea I come up with and this one is extra special one for me - based on the journey I had with my precious daughter Evelyn. 

"Evelyn was born on the 15th of February 2021, and within 50 hours of her birth, she was fighting for her little life in neonatal intensive care.  

"We were surrounded by terrified parents whose babies had to endure the more heartbreaking circumstances to help their brave little babies survive, and we were quickly aware of what an awful situation is it for any parent to face difficulties following births. 

"Evelyn has a rare condition called Hirschsprung disease, along with multiple other problems to contend with, she had a nine hour major operation to remove 2/3 of her bowel at just three months old.  

"Once again, we were in hospital and living day by day, praying our daughter would survive and come home to her loving family.

"We have met so many families during our time in hospitals with Evelyn and can see how difficult it is for all families to manage childhood illness. 

"So now we want to help, and use some of the motivation I see in my daughter every single day through all her struggles and all the uncertainly of what's to come in her life and the life of so many other children.  

"The charity we have selected to raise money for is the Kids Village, a UK based charity for children with a critical illness or who have spend significant time in hospital."

Before this event, on Friday, January 13, there will be a charity quiz held in Ashby at the Lyric Rooms to try and add funds to our pot. 

Carla added: "We are currently at £3,000 in our fundraising, but are hoping to more than double this by the time we have completed our challenges.

"So the plan… we want to break the world record for the number of netball goals scored in a 24 hour period, no easy task! 

"The current record is 14,240 - our target is 14,500.

"We will be following the strict criteria and complying with the guidance of the official Guinness World Record rules and all we ask from you is for your support and hopefully a donation to our charity. 

"As little or as much as you can afford, we would be so grateful and anything at all can go along way."