A MUM who found out that her nine-year-old daughter will need a liver transplant said running the English Half marathon for charity with her husband and friends helped her cope with the news.

Sylvie Priest was diagnosed with the chronic disease Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis earlier this year and will need a liver transplant in the future.

Her parents, Sue and Mike Priest from Grappenhall, decided to raise money for the Children's Liver Disease Foundation by running the English Half Marathon and six friends offered to join them in the challenge.

Sue said: “At first we thought Sylvie had a gluten intolerance but it quickly went a bit mental. The disease has no cure and it’s really rare, I don’t think there’s much research.

“At the moment she’s quite healthy but she’s taking quite a lot of medication. We have to go to the hospital for a lot of tests but it doesn’t change that she’s going to need a transplant – it’s inevitable.”

The 43-year-old, who works for Majestic Wine, said running has helped her cope with the news but Sylvie is enjoying the attention.

She said: “Running has been a good way to forget about things, it’s very therapeutic. It’s such a great escape. It feels good to be doing something positive rather than getting upset about it.

“We have tried to tell Sylvie about what the disease means but I don’t think she understands yet. She’s just enjoying all the attention she has been getting.”

Sue, Mike, and their friends raised more than £2,000 for the charity and said the money would help other families going through a similar life-changing situation.

Sue said Sylvie was very excited about watching her team of runners complete the race and enjoyed cheering at the half marathon with her grandparents on Sunday.

Visit the fundraising page at justgiving.com/fundraising/Suepony.