YOUNGSTERS will be putting their best foot forward with a sponsored toddle to send one of their friends to Somerset for a special therapy programme.

The two and three-year-olds who attend the Babygym class at Stockton Sports Centre will be walking as far as they can around the centre's full-sized hockey pitch later this month.

The event has been arranged to help raise money to send three-year-old Chloe Harrison, from Ragworth, Stockton, to the Brainwave Charity's centre in Somerset.

Chloe cannot walk unaided, cannot talk and has epilepsy but doctors have been unable to discover a reason for her difficulties.

Her mother, Claire Evans, read about the Brainwave Charity and now Chloe is going to the centre in November for an assessment and therapy programme, which will cost about £350.

Claire, 29, said: "I'm not expecting miracles from the centre, but if they can help her at all I will be delighted.

"They may not be able to do anything but it is something which I have got to try."

It is hoped that after Chloe's visit, she will be given an intensive programme to work with to help her and there may be follow-up visits to the centre to check on her progress and alter the programme with each improvement.

Chloe will join her friends in the toddle and will walk around the pitch holding her mother's hand.