Fearless Gloucestershire six-year-old James is preparing for the future

FEARLESS six-year-old James Pendleton is coming to terms with a future that revolves around wheelchairs and stair lifts.

The youngster has muscular dystrophy, a muscle wasting disease, and is one of many Gloucestershire children who are having to adapt to life-changing circumstances.

James is lighting a candle on December 6 at the Spirit of Christmas candlelit carol service at Gloucester Cathedral.

The event, which starts at 7.30pm, is proudly backed by the team at The Citizen.

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His mum Laura Andrews, from Shurdington, has spoken from the heart about how the disease is affecting James.

She said: "James encounters difficulties getting through the day and these are now becoming more apparent.

"We have talked to James about needing a wheelchair in the future, and he seems quite accepting of this.

"When he sees people in wheelchairs he is quick to tell others that he will be having one himself 'soon'.

"He has also started talking about a stair lift, as we have noticed for a while that he has problems with the stairs, and James himself is now complaining of tired legs when using the stairs.

"Fortunately, as his grandmother and aunt work in care homes for older people, James has had the chance of a few 'fun rides' on stair lifts so the thought of this holds no threat or fear."

James is now receiving a course of steroids in a bid to prolong the strength he has in his muscles.

He will be joined next month at the concert by other sufferers of muscular dystrophy.

The evening will raise vital funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.