Two families are joining forces to raise awareness of the genetic condition which claimed the lives of their daughters before the age of two.

Sarah and Matt Poole, of Clayton West, and Amy and Danny Hawtin, of Marsh, lost their children to muscle-wasting condition spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

Now the two families are helping raise awareness and funds for the SMA Trust, a charity dedicated to finding a cure.

SMA claimed the life of Sarah and Matt’s daughter Rowan aged 18 months in November 2012.

Just 10 months later, Amy and Danny Hawtin were devastated when their four-month-old daughter Abigail was also diagnosed with SMA.

The devastating condition claimed Abigail’s life in December 2013. She was just eight-months-old.

Baby Abigail Hawtin, of Marsh, who died of a genetic muscular condition.

Sarah said: “Losing Rowan was devastating but since then we’ve channelled our energy into creating fun events to keep Rowan’s memory alive, from coast-to-coast bike rides to bake sales.

“We’re committed to raising vital funds to help find a cure for this cruel condition and with the fantastic support of family, friends and the people of Huddersfield we have raised over £60,000 to date.”

This week, September 28 to October 4, marks the first ever UK SMA Awareness Week.

Tragic tot Rowan Poole, of Clayton West, who died aged 18 months of muscle-wasting condition spinal muscular atrophy.

Amy said: “The SMA Trust is dependent upon fundraising to continue its work into developing an understanding of the disease, finding potential therapies and, ultimately, a cure.

“We are eager to support the SMA Trust in memory of our precious daughters through our sponsorship teams, Team Rowan and Team Abigail.

“We’ll continue fundraising until a cure is found for this cruel condition which claimed the lives of our beautiful children.”

SMA affects as many as one baby in every 6,000 born and one in 40 people can carry the faulty gene without even knowing.

Edgerton couple Mary and Patrick Kitterick have been long-term supporters of SMA research since losing their son William Raymond to SMA at just 15 weeks in 1972.

Patrick said: “Losing a seemingly healthy baby at such a young age was absolutely devastating but it’s very encouraging to see the support which is now available for families and children affected by SMA, thanks to the energetic fundraising efforts of families like the Pooles and Hawtins and their commitment to keeping SMA awareness in the public eye.”

Progress is being made in researching the condition and clinical trials are underway.

To find out more, click here.

Donations can be made via the website.