THE caring uncle of a Bacup youngster with a rare genetic disorder is gearing up to walk the Inca Trail.

Terminally ill Jack Heath, four, has been diagnosed with Hunters Syndrome, which affects only one in every 150,000 boys in the country, and means little Jack will probably not survive into his teens.

His uncle, John Sanderson, 28, of Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, has undertaken fundraising events in the past, although he admits this latest challenge, through the Peruvian Andes, will be the toughest yet.

He will be raising money for research into Hunters Syndrome, medically referred to as Mucopolysaccharide (MPS), for the national MPS Society.

John, an immigration appeals administrative officer based in Manchester, said: "The 10-day trek is being held in June which will be a massive test of my fitness because we will be walking for 36 hours in total. Although there has been a trust set up for Jack I am raising the money for the MPS Society because they carry out research and provide support for people like Jack and his parents.

"I have been involved in various fundraising events for the society since Jack was diagnosed with Hunter disease about two years ago."

John will be accompanied by a group of trekkers on June 3, where they will hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the lost city.

He must first raise £2,500 to cover the cost of the trek before he can raise sponsorship money. He has also organised a five-a-side charity tournament to take place on February 29, at the Super League Soccer Centre, Manchester, where eight teams will battle for the championship.

Locals in Jack's home town of Bacup have already started a fundraising campaign after hearing the tragic news and have set up a charitable trust in his name.

The money is being used to buy equipment for him and to adapt his house to accommodate a wheelchair.

His mum Elizabeth, of Peel Drive, has given up work to look after Jack, who has difficulty speaking, hearing and walking, and to take him to his five hospital appointments a week.

Little Jack, who attends Holy Trinity Primary, Stacksteads, stopped developing after 13 months and had to have his tonsils removed because he had sleep apnea - a condition that means sufferers stop breathing in their sleep.

John said: "Jack has been trying to talk and he has had hearing aids in both ears, but he has an enlarged liver and spleen and loses his balance when he walks. Despite all this he is the happiest child I have ever met."

Anybody wanting to sponsor John should ring 07786 434986.