AN inspirational three year-old will take on one of the toughest challenges of his young life while battling against a debilitating genetic disease, all in the name of helping others.

Charlie Hollingworth, who suffers with life-threatening breathing problems as a result of his inherited disease, will attempt to tackle his own, personal marathon in the shape of a 100 metre walk, using a walking frame he has only had a for few months.

Charlie will stand among hundreds of others on the starting line of the Acorns Triple Run to get his huge challenge underway.

He received his walking frame just after Christmas, and while it helps him to walk independently, he has only managed to walk up to 50 metres because it is so physically exerting for him.

His mum, Katy Hollingworth, says she is extremely proud of her son.

Katy, of Walnut Crescent, Malvern, said: "The walk is really for hard for Charlie to do, but he wants to do it. It's really inspiring, it will be such a massive achievement.

"He's been getting on well with his walking frame, but there are times when it's really hard for him to use it as he doesn't have the strength sometimes."

When Charlie was three days old, he turned blue while being breast fed. He was transferred to a hospital in North Staffordshire, where he would stay for six months, and was diagnosed with Mitochondrial disease.

It is caused by dysfunctional mitochondria, the organelles that generate energy for blood cells in the human body. Mitochondria convert food into energy to power the human body.

As result of his disease, he suffers with apnoeas, episodes which can stop him from breathing. His overall growth and strength development is affected too.

As soon as Charlie turned blue, alarm bells rang louder than usual, as Katy and her husband, Martin, tragically lost their first-born son to the exact same disease.

Louis Hollingworth was born in October 2008, but suffered up to 12 apnoeas a day as a result of the disease. He was diagnosed at three months old, and spent the next nine in hospital, eventually losing his fight for life and his parents took the decision to turn off his life-support machine.

Katy said: "Our world was turned upside down when we lost Louis, it was a horrible time.

"Charlie was sent straight to hospital, given Louis' illness and death, but he is doing well.

"Despite his challenges, Charlie is a very contented little boy who is very loving, sociable and happy and rarely gets upset.

"His favourite things are riding his bikes, playing with balls, diggers, cars and tractors. We're all so proud of him."

Charlie is raising money for Acorns Children's Hospice, which have helped Katy and Martin throughout the lives of both Louis and Charlie.

The triple run is set to go ahead at Malvern Three Counties Showground, on June 21.

To donate to his cause visit justgiving.com/Katy-Hollingworth