SMILING and alert, baby Reece Price is blissfully unaware of the devastating disease threatening his life.

Only weeks ago, he was diagnosed with a severe form of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a progressively debilitating, incurable and untreatable disease. It is a time-bomb ticking against his life expectancy.

His parents, Michelle Henderson and Damian Price, are determined to make every moment as special as possible for their child. And they are dedicated to fund-raising to fight against SMA and raise awareness of the disease.

The couple, from Cliftonville, near Margate, will be part of a sponsored cycle from Margate to Brighton on October 16 to raise money for The Jennifer Trust for SMA. They are appealing for sponsors and donations of cash and raffle prizes.

The ride has been organised by Reece’s aunts, Julie Willis and Claire Fitness, with enormous support from Hartsdown leisure centre.

Mr Price, 21, said: “Reece was born a happy and healthy baby. He was moving around and everything seemed normal. After some weeks we realised he was not moving his arms and legs very much and his breathing was bad."

At first, doctors could find nothing out of the ordinary, but Mr Price and Miss Henderson knew their son was unwell and persisted in seeking help.

He was admitted to the Rainbow Ward at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital at Margate and after many tests Reece was diagnosed with SMA at nine weeks.

He has SMA Type 1. Babies like Reece can live up to two but about 80 per cent die in their first year.

Reece can barely move his arms, his nerves are dying, his lungs are under developed and he cannot breathe properly. He cannot sit up and his neck will not support his head.

In time, he is likely to be reduced to feeding through a tube and will need a suction tube to remove mucus. He is extremely vulnerable to hypothermia.

Mr Price has given up work so he can spend as much time as possible with his son.

Miss Henderson, 20, said: “He is such a happy little chap, we are trying to make things as nice as possible for him. One of the places he likes best is the bath because he can move really freely.”

Reece loves bright and colourful toys. A spider mobile and balloons are favourites. He also likes flashing lights and loves television.

His mother said they are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported their fund-raising so far, particularly Hartsdown Leisure Centre.

Anyone able to help can contact Miss Willis or Miss Fitness on 07758 715337.

FACTFILE

* SMA is a hereditary neuromuscular disease which stops nerve impulses reaching muscles, so they become weak and wasted.

* It manifests itself if both parents carry a defective gene, in which case there is a one in four chance of a child being affected. One in 40 people are carriers.

* About one in 6,000 people have SMA, of which there are several types.

* The Jennifer Trust funds research into SMA and provides support for families. It also hires out specialist toys.