THREE teenagers will swap their dancing shoes for walking boots to help make a difference to children with brain tumours.

Stephanie Bristow, from Benfleet, Phoebe Sellwood, from Canvey, and Isobel Murray, from Bowers Gifford, who are all 14, have signed up for a 67- mile trek in aid of the Indee Rose Trust.

The charity was set up in memory of Indee Rose Dopson, from Canvey, who died from an inoperable brain tumour in June 2009.

To mark what would have been her tenth birthday, 45 fundraisers will be spending three days walking from the island to Romney, Kent, where Indee enjoyed her last family holiday.

Stephanie, Phoebe and Isobel, who are all students at the Appleton School, in Benfleet, decided to get involved with fundraising for the trust after performing at its annual charity ball.

The girls, who are all keen dancers, first met when they took up ballet classes at Star Studios of Performing Arts, Canvey.

Vicky Murray, 45, Isobel’s mum, said: “The girls got to know Indee’s mum, Jane Allen, through their dancing and they just fell in love with the charity.

“As soon as we heard about the walk, the girls said they wanted to do it.

“They had to do tests to check their fitness levels and they’re obviously very young, but because of their dancing, they felt they were up to it.

“Stephanie is even giving up her 15th birthday celebrations because she will be on the walk.

“The girls are determined to do it because they want so much to help children with brain tumours.

“They’ve known each other for so long, they are more like sisters, and this is such an amazing thing for them to be able to do together.”

They have been given permission to have a day off school as the three-day challenge will begin on Friday, July 3.

Stephanie, Phoebe and Isobel want to raise £500 each, which will go towards creating treasure boxes.

The personalised boxes, which are filled with toys, books and games, are given to children who are receiving hospital treatment for brain or spinal tumours in a bid to bring some joy into their lives.

To sponsor the girls, visit www.justgiving.com/Steph- Bristow, www.justgiving.com /Phoebe-Sellwood or www.justgiving.com/Isobel-Murray