A COUPLE told today how fundraising efforts at their son's school are helping them come to terms with the tragic death of their daughter.

Rebecca Mawdesley died in August 2002 aged just five months from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

Her parents Gary and Jennifer from Peel Street, Chorley, revealed they will never get over the tragedy but are slowly rebuilding their lives.

Their seven-year-old son Matthew who attends Balshaw Lane Community Primary School, Euxton has been busy helping his classmates raise more than £600 to ensure other families affected by the disease have vital support.

Gary, a parts analyst, said: "You never get over something like this, our lives will never be the same again.

"But it was really nice to hear that the school had chosen a SMA charity to give all the cash they raise this year to."

Spinal Muscular Atrophy affects one in every 10,000 babies. It causes muscles to waste and is passed on from parents who must both be carriers of a defective gene.

Mum Jennifer realised there was something wrong with Rebecca from the moment she was born in March 2001.

"Something wasn't quite right. Rebecca stopped feeding and wasn't moving around much," she said.

Rebecca was diagnosed at a few weeks old and died five months later.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can post cheques to: The Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Elta House, Birmingham Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 0AQ, call 01789 267520, or visit www.jtsma.demon.co.uk