A student who suffers from a rare illness is hoping to raise money for Royal Manchester children's hospital by shaving her hair.

Maryam Ahmed now 21, suffers of a  rare metabolic illness - Glycogen storage disorder type 1a - which was diagnosed when she was just five months old.

The condition is an inherited disorder caused by the build-up of a complex sugar called glycogen in the body's cells.  The accumulation of glycogen in certain organs and tissues, especially the liver, kidneys, and small intestines, impairs their ability to function normally.

Maryam said, "This condition unfortunately started affecting my kidneys at a young age of 19 and had a sudden drop from 74% functioning to 30%.

"In February of 2016 I was told that if I decline treatment I wouldn't be around more than a year.

"I am losing bunches of hair and wanted to use this negative and turn it into a positive so I decided why not raise some money and donate it to the hospital who had treated me with so much care and donate it to that particular department."

Maryam went back into education at the start of the 2017 academic year.

She said, "Unfortunately due to massive clots of blood forming from my nose and blood vomits I was admitted into hospital. 

"Due to severity of the kidney failure I was unable to carry out the year and had to drop out this is where I got admitted into royal Preston hospital and was told I was down to 5% kidney function which is stage 5 and needed emergency dialysis. 

"I am currently treatment three times a week. I am hoping this is not a long term thing as I am currently active on the transplant list for a liver and kidney at Leeds teaching hospital."

"It's been a long journey of 21 years and still counting but I know it'll all be worth it in the end. My second home is the hospital. Not just one but many different hospitals for different various reasons."

"In the near future I'd like to become a nurse, because of all the tremendous amount of care I've received throughout my illness it has always made me want to go into nursing and also care for people."

She added, "Looking at me you'd never think I have an illness the only person who understands it is myself and my immediate family because they have been by my side in the whole process and with their support I'm getting through everything. 

"The credit is due my Mum who has been there from day one, and supported and always encouraged my every decision and backed me 100%, without her by my side  I wouldn't even be here today, I still remember all the sleepless nights and days spent in hospital with her."

To donate to Maryam click here

You can also text MAHM84 followed by "£amount" to 70070