Aunt to tackle Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for great-nephew

Dawn Higgs, 58, will embark on the four-day trek at the end of September, with no running water, bathrooms, or beds, all while 2,430m above sea level.

She is raising money for Charlie, who will be six years old in the same month.

Charlie lives with his parents Chloe Garnham, 31, and Sam Newman, 33, in Ipswich, as well as his half-sister Lily, 10, and two-year-old sister Freya.

Dawn Higgs and her husband Lee (Image: Courtesy of Dawn Higgs) Since birth, Charlie has faced numerous challenges, including brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen, an intercranial bleed, epilepsy, global developmental delay, and cerebral palsy.

Charlie is non-verbal, relies on a feeding tube and struggles with mobility and communication.

Dawn said "I'm excited to be doing this trek for Charlie, and grateful for the chance to go to such a historic site as Machu Picchu at the same time.

"I've been walking, running and cycling to get fit for the journey because it's no walk in the park!"

The funds Dawn raises through the Just4Children campaign will be used for additional physiotherapy sessions and specialised equipment to make Charlie's life easier.

The equipment includes eye gazers, off-road buggies, electric wheelchairs, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

Dawn is asking for support in her quest to help Charlie have the best life he possibly can, without pain and discomfort.

Dawn training for her trek (Image: Courtesy of Dawn Higgs) She said: "Charlie is such a fighter, he deserves any help we can give him to make his life easier and help him communicate.

"He is very loved, and such a cheerful little boy despite all his disadvantages.

"We would really love to get him this essential equipment to improve his quality of life."

Charlie's parents, Chloe and Sam, said: "We're so grateful to Dawn for taking this on. The trip is totally self funded so any money raised goes directly to Charlie. 

"He has benefitted so much from the physio he has, but at £80 per hour, we can only afford a small amount. It would be great to be able to get more.

"An eye gazer would mean Charlie could call out for his mum for the first time ever! That would mean so much to all of us."

To donate go to justgiving.com/campaign/charlieournonverbalsuperhero.