FAMILY and friends of “the happiest little baby” are getting ready to take the plunge from one of East Lothian’s tallest buildings.

Twenty-nine family members and friends will make their way down Barns Ness Lighthouse, near Dunbar, for two charities who have helped young Amelia Whitson, of Haddington, who has cystic fibrosis.

Each family member will don a special t-shirt as they do their bit for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and The Butterfly Trust.

Amelia’s mum Kathryn Tait is one of those who will be climbing the 86 steps inside the lighthouse before slowing making a 121ft descent back to solid ground on Saturday, September 22.

She said: “It was Amelia’s gran, Shirley Dinning, who had the idea.

“She wanted to do the abseil from the Forth Bridge but they already had their charities and so she could not do it for the cystic fibrosis charities. That is why she decided to do it at the lighthouse.

“I have never done anything like this.

“I would not say I am looking forward to it but I am looking forward to raising money for the charities.

“Amelia is going to need help the rest of her life and it is nice to give something back.”

The youngster, who turned one last month, was born three weeks early at the Birth Centre in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (ERI).

It was three weeks later, following a routine heel prick, that it was discovered she had cystic fibrosis.

The genetic condition affects more than 10,400 people in the UK.

People with cystic fibrosis experience a build-up of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive system and other organs, causing a wide range of challenging symptoms affecting the entire body.

Kathryn said: “She had her heel prick test at five days old and then everything was fine.

“Then, when she was three weeks old, we got a call from the Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital to say we needed to go up because they had to discuss her results with us.

“I phoned Amelia’s dad, Darren, at his work and said we needed to go there.

“They said she had cystic fibrosis and explained all about it – all about the genes, why she had it and that sort of stuff; obviously it was a lot to take in.”

Kathryn, who previously worked at Leuchie House, near North Berwick, as a care assistant, told the Courier she had heard of the condition but did not know a lot about it until speaking to the doctors.

Since the diagnosis, Amelia, who Kathryn described as “always smiling and [who] loves attention”, has had regular trips to the Sick Kids to be checked over by doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and dieticians.

Kathryn, 23, of Dovecot Way, Haddington, said: “Amelia has twice daily physio which she does not enjoy.

“Luckily her pancreas is sufficient and she does not have to take enzymes to help her digest food.

“When she does have an infection, it is quite an intensive course of antibiotics, three or four times a day.

“It is just the little things we have to watch for, like spraying deodorant because, obviously, you do not want her breathing that in and dust and things.”

Now friends and family members, including Amelia’s older sisters Laura and Abby, are getting ready to give back to the two charities.

The Butterfly Trust, based in Edinburgh, offers support to families and people affected by the condition, while the Cystic Fibrosis Trust is heavily involved in research.

Darren’s mum, Shirley, has been busy ensuring it is a fun day at the lighthouse. Various local businesses have donated raffle prizes, while collection tins are going to be put in a number of county businesses.

To make a donation, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ShirleyDinning