STAFF at Specsavers Prestatyn are carrying out a 4,000 mile walk over the month of July.

The team is aiming to raise awareness about different charities, two in particular, and are demonstrating their support.

One of the charities links to Isla Ruby Harris, the daughter of a staff member at Specsavers Prestatyn. She who was only nine months old when she died from mitochondrial disease.

Michelle Roose-Williams, at Specsavers Prestatyn, said: "Isla was full of laughter, smiles and cheeky faces, she had a fake cough to get attention and had a very infectious laugh.

Ryan Isla's dad took her to our local hospital on June 21 2019 as she was lethargic and very sleepy. They quickly discovered she had fluid around her heart and she was rushed to Alder Hey. She spent five weeks having every test possible with the possibility of mitochondrial disease looming over her, eventually a muscle biopsy revealed it was mitochondrial disease that had caused heart failure.

"They had to say goodbye to their beautiful baby girl. Hundreds and hundreds of tests and two chances on ECMO were not enough to help their daughter.

"Since they found out about this disease they were shocked to learn how it's not really talked about that often or understood by many people."

Every day in the UK a child is born who will develop this condition.

Michelle added: "Currently there is no treatment or cure and this needs to change. We'd would like to continue to spread awareness alongside Isla’s parents and keep the memory of their baby girl alive to try and find a cure to this disease and raise money to support other families affected by Mitochondrial Disease and fund important research to find a cure."

The team also wants to donate to Mind in Memory of Matthew Collins described as a colleague and a "wonderful" friend.

Michelle said: "This charity is one close to our hearts after the difficult year many people have had and continue to have for many different reasons. We would like to fundraise to raise awareness of this charity. They provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding."

All donations made will be split and donated between Mind Cymru and The Lily Foundation in memory of Matt and Isla.

To support the team at Specsavers click here.