TWENTY years ago, Amy Banks’ parents were told she would never be able to walk unaided, but next April they will watch her run the London Marathon.

Amy, of Moreland Close, Benfleet, suffers from Mobius Syndrome, an extremely rare neurological condition that can cause facial paralysis, limb abnormalities, crossed eyes and muscle shrinkage.

At two-years-old, Amy could not crawl, walk or stand properly, and needed a frame to support her.

Her parents were told she would never walk unaided and would also struggle with any strenuous activity, but following five eye surgeries, years of intensive physiotherapy and treatment at Great Ormond Street Childrens’ Hospital later, she is able to take part in the marathon.

Now 20, Amy is a wrestler and has been accepted to run next year’s marathon for Children With Cancer.

She said: “I started walking at about three or four and missed all the usual developmental landmarks for kids.

“But now I am in the gym almost every day, travel around the country by myself to compete in wrestling matches and am seeing progress in my body and myself all the time.

“I am so proud to be able to run for Children With Cancer.

“I believe all children should have the chance to blossom, so for some to be hit with cancer is just awful.

“I know the marathon is not going to be easy at all, it will be one of the hardest things I have done, but I feel very strongly about raising as much money as possible to help and support others.”

Amy works at the Rayleigh Megacentre helping children with their development and learning.

She has been wrestling since she was strong enough to at the age of nine and recently competed in front of 1,000 people for the first time.

Amy credits doctors who treated her as a child, and her family, for getting to this point in her life and now feels ready to push herself the extra 26.2miles.

She added: “I watched the marathon this year and a friend was running it and did really well.

“My brother wanted to do it, so we both put our names in. I got asked which charity I wanted to run for so I chose Children With Cancer, but my brother Lewis went into the general ballot, so he won’t know if he’s running until October.

“We run together already, so it would be amazing to be able to run the marathon with him, too.”

Amy’s first fundraising event will be a pantomime-themed variety night, including a quiz, raffle, and game show.

The event will be at Great Wakering Pre-School, in The Community Centre, High Street, from 8pm on Friday, September 4 with a £5 entry fee on the door.

To donate to Amy’s cause, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Amy Banks1