AN INTREPID schoolgirl has raised more than £500 by completing a challenging army zip drive.

Zoe Burgess, nine, of Sandymoor, suffers from a rare condition, affecting one in 10,000 people.

Fortunately, she was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis (MG), a form of muscle weakness, very early.

She needs special glasses and medication to open her eyelids and her eye movement is not as flowing as normal.

Apart from that, she has no problems whatsoever with her school work.

Her mum, Pamela, explained: "Zoe was very lucky. She had a quick diagnosis when she was six.

"On average, it usually takes five years."

Pamela has formed a support group to raise awareness and help other suffers.

It meets at 7.30pm on Thursday, October 17, in Wycliffe United Reform Church, Bewsey Street, Warrington.

"We want to raise awareness of the condition," she said.

"From the money Zoe raised we hope to get videos to doctors and opticians for early diagnosis.

"This condition can easily be mistaken for other things."

Snooker player John Spencer had to retire early after being diagnosed with MG.

It strikes without warning and there is no cure.

Further information about the condition is available.

You can call Pamela Burgess, chairman of the support group, on 01928-579777.