CARING Sarah Kitto and Christopher Tait are championing a remarkable pre-season photo show competition dedicated to five-year-old Skyla Rae.

Skyla from Moorside suffers from the rare sanfilippo sydrome (MPS 111), a disease affecting the brain and spinal chord. Patients usually live into adolescence or early adulthood.

The idea for the competition came after a conversation between Sarah and Christopher from stables at Glengaris Stud, based in Heywood.

Sarah, who had known the Rae family for some time, was deeply upset to hear of Skyla’s condition and wanted to help raise funds for a sensory room in Skyla’s family home.

Christopher suggested an online horse show to prompt thoughts about the possible return to showing later in the summer.

They planned the classes and raised sponsorship for the medals, sashes and cups, enlisting Sarah’s father to create graphics and set up the competition page.

Sarah said: “I am absolutely staggered by the help and support we have received from our generous sponsors and the Judges who have donated their services free of charge

“We would especially like to thank Brian Test the first to offer his services, after that more followed.

“This just proves there are good people who will help someone who really needs a helping hand.

“The competition itself has taken on a life of its own with people asking for new classes,” she added.

To date they have raised more than £1,000 and are aiming to reach a £2,000 target.

The cut off date for the competition is Wednesday, March 10, and winners will be announced on Monday, March 15 with prizes sent out the following week.

Should anyone who doesn’t want to enter but wants to contribute to Skyla, click on: gofundme page https://gofund.me/3a235987