Forty riders to join charity canter in Cannock Chase

Jaiden Craig was only 12 weeks old when he had to undergo intensive surgery for a kidney problem. A year later he has made a strong recovery.

Now his proud mother Sarah Ball, of Vale Gardens, Penkridge, will gallop with fellow equestrian lovers across Milford Common in Cannock Chase to raise funds for Birmingham Children's Hospital.

The 24-year-old mother of four said: "We are so grateful to the work of the hospital's staff that I wanted to do something to show my thanks.

"It has been a year since his first operation and he is now like any other 14 month old." The trek will cover 10 miles on March 31 at 2pm. Miss Ball said he was blown away with the support from other riders.

She said: "I had no idea so many people would support us.

"I originally thought that there would be me and just a few friends but loads were interested and I had to get permission from the council because it has got so big.

"I really hope we can raise a lot of money for the kidney unit.

"There are children in there who spend months and months in the wards so even if the money goes on toys for them to play with it will be worth it.

"I just really wanted to give something back as the treatment and care through was brilliant," she added. Jaiden's condition was Pelviureteric Junction Bilateral Obstruction.

The birth defect was spotted while his mother had a scan during pregnancy at Stafford Hospital.

Medical staff found that one of his kidneys was much larger than the other.

Miss Ball said: "Jaiden has been in and out of hospital for the last year and will require the occasional check-up.

"He has done so well and we are really pleased with everything."

Horses have played a big part in Miss Ball's life for the last 10 years, after she first rode when she was 14.

She will ride her own horse Fran on the circular route.