Youngster Elsie Novell wanted to make the most of her time during the coronavirus lockdown by setting herself some new goals – and helping her friends at a charity.

Footprints Conductive Education Centre, Nottingham, helps children, like six-year-old Elsie, who have mobility problems.

Her mum, Charlotte, said: “Elsie has a neurological condition, called spinal muscular atrophy, which means she is unable to walk and her muscles are extremely weak. When she was diagnosed at 18 months-old we were told there was no treatment, and no cure, and that Elsie’s muscles would eventually waste due to lack of use.

“However, we have been very lucky that Elsie started treatment to prevent further deterioration of her condition at Great Ormond Street Hospital in January and she is now making incredible gains.”

Elsie’s treatment has been further supplemented by therapy sessions at Footprints, based on Sneinton Dale, Nottingham.

“Before Footprints’ help, Elsie could not kneel, she had lost the ability to stand, roll, and sit up straight,” said Charlotte. “Footprints helped us to get her doing all of these things – as well as things we never thought possible, like stepping!

“Despite the current situation, Footprints continued to Zoom in for our gym sessions every Saturday and it’s been wonderful to have their support. During the sessions, Elsie has been able to work on improving her physical skills and to see her friends, who she cannot be with in person.”

Recognising the need for the charity to survive the crisis created by the coronavirus outbreak, Elsie decided to set herself a tough challenge of taking 26 steps, and to raise some much-needed funds to help her favourite charity by becoming involved in the 2.6 Challenge – which replaced UK charity fundraising efforts usually made during events like the cancelled London Marathon.

Charlotte said Elsie not only completed her challenge but raised more money than they believed possible.

“We set up a JustGiving page and asked that people sponsor her with as little as £2.60 in support of Elsie and Footprints. We were astonished and overwhelmed when, less than 24 hours later, she had reached £600.”

Since then, Elsie’s total has risen to £1,228.

Elsie’s head teacher at Mapplewells Primary and Nursery School, Sutton, is Grant Worthington. He says the whole school is proud of her.

“Elsie is a true Mapplewellian! An inspiration to the pupils and to the staff alike. We could not be more proud of her and wish her and her family well in their efforts. We look forward to all of the wonderful things Elsie will do in future and we will support her in any way we can. We are so proud of you Elsie,” he added.

Elsie’s parents, Charlotte and Chris, said they are moved by their daughter’s courage and commitment in facing the task.

Charlotte said: “We are so proud of the empathy and determination she has shown in completing this challenge and wanting to raise money for a well-deserved cause. The Footprints’ family is proof that anything is possible when you believe, and have the right support behind you, and we will be forever grateful for what they have given to us as a family.”

Modest Elsie told her mum that the best bit about completing the challenge was that she was able to help Footprints because they help her so much, and the most challenging bit, she said, was needing help from her daddy to be able to take the steps.

To make a donation go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/elsie-s-26-steps-challenge