A REAL life superhero has raised more than £1,000 to help a disabled girl from Evesham fulfil her dream to walk again.

Karen Heaney, inspired by the mettle shown by Olivia Hancock, aged 10, has shown some true grit of her own to raise funds for Olivia's Dream, through the Superhero Foundation.

We have previously reported how Olivia of Hampton, near Evesham, was born with cerebral palsy but continues to grow in strength and confidence thanks to physiotherapy following a life-changing operation last June which has given her family new hope.

She has already taken her first tentative steps but her family and friends hope to build on the momentum as her mobility continues to improve.

Within the space of the summer Karen has completed several challenges which are certainly not for the faint-hearted and has been hailed as 'a superhuman' by Olivia's mum, Emma Haynes who is herself a gritty character, completing back-to-back marathons last year to raise funds for Olivia's physio. She has extended her thanks to Karen and says she does not know how she managed it.

Karen, of Evesham, completed the Worcester Marathon on May 22 with a personal best time of four hours, 36 minutes and 37 seconds.

This was followed by the Spartan Super on May 29, a 13km plus obstacle race.

Following this she finished the Cotswold Way 100 mile challenge between June 10 and June 13 from Chipping Campden to Bath, her first ultramarathon.

Her next challenge was the Cotswold 24 hour race between July 23 and July 24 during which those taking part completed as many laps of the 9km course as possible in 24 hours.

Karen completed 12 laps of the 9km course, a total of 108km.

Her sister Bridget Ford said: "She is really determined and has not been running that long really. She is quite inspirational to other runners."

Olivia has relied on a wheelchair and walking frame to get around since birth, having been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The muscles in Olivia’s legs are very tight, making any weight she puts on her legs painful and tiring.

In 2015, Olivia had a life-changing operation on the NHS, but she needs many months of physiotherapy after leaving the hospital as she learns how to walk by herself.

Without this vital post-operation treatment, Olivia is likely to be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

To sponsor Karen visit virginmoneygiving.com/kaz100miles