A LITTLE girl who has spent most of her short life in hospital inspired rugby players and majorettes to put on their walking shoes at the weekend.

Members of Trowbridge Rugby Club and the Metallica Twirlers were among those who walked from Trowbridge to Avoncliff and back again on Sunday to raise money to help three-year-old Rhyanna Genner.

Her mother, Tracy said: "I was amazed, I think it is wonderful what they are doing for her. You don't see that very often. It is absolutely amazing, there were children and friends and family all taking part."

Rhyanna suffers from Down's Syndrome and was born with two holes in her heart, for which she underwent surgery last year. Her weak immune system means she has caught pneumonia six times and e-coli three times and she has just come out of hospital after a four-week stay for breathing problems, which it is hoped a tonsillectomy will have sorted out.

Mrs Genner said: "She has been in hospital most of her life. She doesn't know any different to being ill, it is the norm for her but she is such a strong girl.

"She has a lovely personality, she is a happy little girl and such a character."

When Rhyanna was born by caesarean section Mrs Genner, 42, and her husband Robert, 48, had no idea they were expecting a child with Down's Syndrome.

Mrs Genner said: "They told me I was having a dwarf and I cried my eyes out.

"After the caesarean I could hear the doctors arguing outside the door about who was going to tell me and I thought she had died. When they said she had Down's Syndrome I thought 'is that all?'."

Rhyanna has an older brother and sister, Lee, 18 and Chantell, 24, who help to look after her but the main burden of care falls on her parents.

"It is hard work but we just take each day as it comes and work together," Mrs Genner said.

Like many parents of disabled children the couple, who are both not working at the moment, struggle to afford all the equipment they need to give their daughter the best start in life.

She needs special chairs to support her back as she slowly learns to sit upright, as well as sensory equipment and a walker to help her develop.

She already communicates to a certain degree using sign language and her parents hope starting at Larkrise School in September will encourage further improvement.

Mrs Genner said: "Doctors don't know what will happen in the future and she may need more surgery. All we want is for her to be well and happy."