Little Leah Monaf, who lives in Kilham, Orton Goldhay. Peterborough, will travel to London on March 9 with her family to take part in The Big Walk Forward – a fund-raising event organised by the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS).

Starting and finishing the five-mile route at Lincoln's Inn Fields, the Monaf family hope to raise as much as they can for the Peterborough branch of NDCS.

Leah's brother Daniel was diagnosed as being severely deaf at just six weeks old. Caused by a genetic condition, Daniel had two hearing aids fitted when he was eight weeks old.

Liz and her husband Dean knew their son could be deaf from the day he was born when the tiny tot failed his newborn hearing test.

Further tests confirmed he was severely deaf, and that it had been genetically passed over from his mother.

Liz said: "I have been mildly deaf since I was a toddler, but doctors then put it down to an ear infection.

"You just get on with it when you find out, but if I had known it was genetic I wouldn't have been so shocked to be told I had a deaf child.

"We are all learning sign language now and learning how to get his attention when we are talking to him. It's hard, but he's such a happy boy and his sister loves him – they both adore each other."

Since finding out about their son's condition, the Monafs say they have received tremendous support from the NDCS in Peterborough, without which they would have felt very alone.

Liz said: "We are hoping to raise at least £1,000 as a family.

"The money will help pay for the society's annual summer trip, Christmas party and a panto and, if there's any left, educational trips.

"The walk is five miles, and our daughter is determined to walk the whole distance to show support for her little brother.

"So with her little legs and Daniel expected to dribble his way round, this walk could take a long time."

If anyone would like to sponsor the Monaf family, they can donate online by credit or debit card at www.justgiving.com/themonaffamily

All donations are secure and sent electronically to the NDCS. If you are a UK taxpayer, Justgiving will automatically reclaim 28 per cent gift aid on your behalf, so the donation is worth even more.