A COUPLE who suffer from neuromuscular diseases have launched a fundraising campaign to help maintain their independence.

Recently married, Stevie and Faye Pearson, from Trimdon Station, County Durham, rely on medical equipment that is both expensive to buy and to maintain - including an electric bed, specialist wheelchairs and hoists.

Although some help is available through the NHS and other agencies, the cost is still considerable and the couple have embarked on a fundraising mission to help ease the financial burden.

Mrs Pearson, 24, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy type two, said: “We are very limited in what we can do for ourselves and require 24-hour care. However, we want to remain as independent as possible.

“The equipment is expensive to run and service but we don’t have a choice. We need it.

“We are going to be disabled for the rest of our lives and we just want to raise enough money to pay for maintenance and repairs.”

Mr Pearson, 21, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, added: “We are just like any other couple. We want to go out with our friends and enjoy life.

“We don’t want to have to sacrifice that to pay for our wheelchairs.”

Their first major event, a Hawaiian night in Durham City, will take place at 7pm on Saturday, August 9 and on Saturday, August 2, the couple’s friends, Amy Price and Kellyanne Callan, will perform a 175ft bungee jump to raise funds for a door opener. To sponsor the women visit gofundme.com/7hfmm4

Mrs Pearson has also secured four places for the 5km Neon Run in Sunderland on October 25 and is looking for volunteers to run and raise funds.

For more information contact Mrs Pearson on f.pearson_90@yahoo.co.uk or search for Pearson’s Independence on Facebook.