FOUR-year-old Niamh Biltcliffe is the inspiration for a family’s fundraising drive which has so far topped £7,000.

Niamh, who lives with mum and dad Lisa and Paul in Mirfield, has cystic fibrosis.

A life-limiting condition, cystic fibrosis, or CF, is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs, pancreas, liver and intestines.

Niamh, born seven weeks prematurely, was found to have a perforated bowel and had two life-saving operations.

Transferred from Dewsbury District Hospital where she was born to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, tiny Niamh spent the first four months of her life in hospital.

It was then that Lisa, 33, and Paul, 36, dedicated their spare time to raising funds and, just as importantly, awareness for the condition.

Both are carriers but didn’t realise until Niamh was born.

Over the last couple of years family and friends have taken part in various fundraising challenges including a sponsored swim, runs and the Three Peaks hike.

The latest fundraiser is the Chester Half-Marathon on Sunday, May 12.

Paul will take part with sister Joanne Biltcliffe, 39, of Wakefield, brother-in-law Craig Roberts, 31, of Mirfield, and family friend and Niamh’s godmother Anna Ellis, 31, of Fenay Bridge.

Paul said they had raised about £500 so far for the half-marathon, taking the overall total to £7,000.

“All this is about Niamh and she is an inspiration,” he said.

“She has physiotherapy twice a day, takes antibiotics on a daily basis and has to take enzymes before eating so her body can break down food but she never complains.

“For Niamh it’s all she has known and is part of who she is.

“She is fun-loving and lives every day to the full.

“She loves singing and street dance and plays with our two dogs.

“She is just a bundle of fun and never grumpy.”

Paul said it was the awareness that was as important as the money raised.

“The scary thing is that the CF gene is carried by one in 25 people, and my family and Lisa’s family have all been checked,” he said.

“We had no idea until Niamh was born.”

Anna said she was proud of Niamh and added: “Niamh is full of life and is the ultimate inspiration.

“It helps if people with CF enjoy sport and keep active and I want to be a role model for her.

“She is a fantastic little girl.”

CF affects 10,000 people in the UK and those with the condition have a lower life expectancy. The family is raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

To donate go to www.justgiving.com/Run-For-Niamh.