PUPILS from Westholme School, Blackburn held hands in a touching tribute to a baby who died of a rare genetic condition.

Ben Chambers, the grandson of school secretary Judith Lord, died in April shortly after being diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

He was just six months old.

SMA is a genetic condition which causes weakness of the muscles and there is no known cure.

Pupils at Westholme Lower School joined hands for a "Holding Handsathon" before the start of their sports day with the aim of raising awareness of SMA and raised £413 for the Jennifer Trust for SMA, a charity which supports families affected by the condition.

Ben's parents, Jane and Ian, both from Blackburn, are now living in Helensburgh, Scotland. Jane is a former pupil of Westholme School and the couple have two other children, Liam, four, and two-year-old Charlotte. Mrs Lord, of Yew Tree Drive, Blackburn, said Ben had the most severe form of SMA which meant he was unable to hold up his head and had very little limb movement.

He was also susceptible to respiratory infections as he was unable to cough to clear his throat.

She said: "In the end, Ben picked up a virus, which developed into pneumonia, and as a result of him having SMA he was unable to fight it off.

"SMA does not affect the brain and Ben was a very bright, alert, happy little boy, who beamed from ear to ear, and this is how we shall remember him."

Christine Harrison, head of the Lower School, said: "It was a very special day. The response was amazing."

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