Mollie's mission to improve her life

The family of seven-year-old Mollie Wallace, who has cystic fibrosis, say the piece of equipment will help clear the thick mucus that builds up in her lungs and other organs.

Her parents Lee and Stacie Wallace, from Atherton, found out about the airway clearance vest through online support forums as it is popular among sufferers on both sides of the Atlantic for making the hours of physiotherapy needed daily to break up the mucus easier.

As the kit is not available on the NHS Stacie and Lee, whose youngest son Marley also has cystic fibrosis, have now decided to start fund-raising to improve Mollie’s quality of life.

Stacie, 27, said: “Mollie has to have physio twice a day and do exercises in the morning when she’s getting ready.

“The vest would just make things a bit easier for us. We wouldn’t stop doing the physio but it would mean she could sit reading or carry on with things while the vest essentially does a bit more for her.

“Americans with cystic fibrosis really rate the vests and a couple of patients in Wigan have got them. I found out about them through a Facebook group and they are also recommended by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.”

The condition, which is genetic and which was diagnosed when Mollie was just nine weeks old, has left her with asthma, a large number of allergies and things she cannot come into contact with for fear of infection.

As well as the physio she has nebulisers to help her lungs and also has to take large quantities of medication every day.

Despite that, Stacie says the Hindsford CE Primary School pupil tries to take her situation in her stride.

Mollie’s fellow pupils will also do a non-uniform day and events such as cake sales to help her and one of the teachers is completing a sponsored hill climb.

To find out more or donate, visit www.gofundme.com/mollieslife