Nuffield Health gym in Norwich fundraising for Grace Howes

Nuffield Health, in Barrack Street, is holding a family open day to help Grace Howes.

The Thorpe St Andrew youngster was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type one when she was just nine months old and her family were told to "go and make memories" because she wouldn't live past the age of two.

Pictured L - R: Two-year-old Annie Howes with dad, Luke Howes and mum Rebecca Howes who works at Nuffield Health, with four-year-old Grace (Image: Luke Howes)

The condition is a severe form of muscle weakness evident at birth or within the first few months of life.

One way to help Grace is to provide her with a hydrotherapy pool at the family's home, giving her freedom to move and improve her leg strength.

Grace Howes was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type one when she was just nine months old (Image: Luke Howes)

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So far £17,273 has been raised on Grace's JustGiving page, out of the £25,000 needed.

Nuffield Health, where Grace's mum Rebecca Howes works, will be asking adult guests for a recommended donation of £5 while children under 16 go free to the event on Saturday, July 22.

Pictured L - R: Annie Howes, two-year-old with her sister Grace Howes, four-years-old (Image: Luke Howes)

The day will allow families to swim, use the gym and take part in a range of junior classes the facility has to offer between 11am and 5pm.

There will also be a four-hour sponsored spinathon session on static bikes between 8am and midday.

The open day will be on from 11am to 5pm on July 22 (Image: Nuffield Health)

Nuffield Health, located in Barrack Street, NR3 (Image: Newsquest)