Brave toddler Alfie Bridges has defied doctors who said he would not live past last winter due to an extremely rare genetic disease.

Alfie, two, of Middlefield Road, Chippenham, was diagnosed with the aggressive Mitochondrial Complex lll Deficiency when he was just eight months old and, as a result, cannot walk, crawl, speak or eat without help.

His mother Lindsey, 31, is so determined to raise awareness of the disease that she is running the Chippenham Half Marathon in September in aid of a research team examining the condition.

She said: “I am a realist and know that the cure won’t be found in Alfie’s lifetime but I will do whatever it takes to make life a little easier for other families in the future.

“The condition takes away all of Alfie’s energy and in turn affects his main organs and causes them to fail.

“He has been in and out of hospital on a weekly basis since he was born and we were told the last time he had respiratory failure that he would not survive life off the ventilator but he is still here.

“We don’t know whether Alfie will be here next year or even next month, but we do know that we are very privileged to have him.

“He is our angel. He has filled our lives with so much love and happiness and we live in hope of a miracle cure.”

Alfie was diagnosed with the rare disease after he needed ventilating twice after catching a cold.

A muscle biopsy later confirmed that the toddler was suffering from the genetic disease.

As a result of his illness, his mother has leant physiotherapy and uses a suction machine at home to clear Alfie’s airways to help him breathe.

Alfie’s older sister Lauren, seven, is aware that her little brother may not be around for long. She said: “I am sad because Alfie is poorly.

“I am happy when Alfie plays with me and I am happy when he sits on my lap.

“I love him because he is cute.”

Ms Bridges’ mother Elizabeth, who lives in Chippenham and helps the family, is extremely proud of the sheer dedication of her daughter.

She said: “That little boy would not be alive if it was not for his mother.

“No-one knows much about the disease and that just makes it so much harder to try and deal with.

“They are such a close knit family and pull each other through.

“They are all amazing in my eyes.”

Alfie’s mother and six friends will take part in the marathon in September and all of the money they raise will go to the Mitochondrial Diagnostic Service at Newcastle Hospital.

To sponsor Mrs Bridges log onto www.justgiving.com/nuscrf