A 15-YEAR-OLD who lives with a rare debilitating condition has had her dream of meeting her favourite rock star granted.

Lauren Howorth, from Knuzden, was desperate to see Austin Carlile, lead singer of the Californian metalcore band Of Mice and Men.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The teen suffers from spinal muscular atrophy type two which means she has never been able to walk and her muscles will continue to degenerate.

Her wish was granted by children’s charity Rays of Sunshine after Lauren wrote to them to see if it could be arranged.

After months of organisation, Lauren, her mum Shirley Holdsworth and dad Stephen Howorth, were given the VIP treatment at the Phones4U Arena, in Manchester, as she got to chat with the band, have merchandise signed and take selfies with the group.

Lauren, a pupil at Mount Carmel High School, in Accrington, said: “It was mind blowing.

“Austin was real, he was right in front of me.

“Up until then, he was just a picture.

“Their music helps me take my mind off everything. I have to deal with a lot of things and I don’t really have any release.

“I have had to find different ways to cope and that is usually listening to Of Mice and Men.”

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a rare inherited neuromuscular condition, of which there are several distinct types. The condition may affect crawling and walking ability, arm, hand, head and neck movement, breathing and swallowing. Although SMA Type 2, which Lauren has, remains a serious, life-limiting condition, improvements in care standards mean that the majority of people with this condition can now live long and productive lives.

In the UK, approximately 100 children are born with the disease each year. During their performance, Of Mice and Men dedicated Lauren’s favourite song Identity Disorder to her and told the audience that, ‘There is an amazing young lady here tonight’.

Lauren’s mum Shirley said: “Lauren really deserved this treat and Austin was absolutely amazing with her.

“He even signed a poster for her saying ‘When you see this, every time, I want you to smile and think about tonight. You are beautiful and so strong.’ “People do not realise that he has a condition himself and that inspires his music and has made him into the person he is today. You imagine meeting rock stars would just be a two-minute job, but they could not have been more accommodating.”

Austin added: “When I heard Lauren’s story, I was really touched, and humbled, that she wanted to meet me.”

“Lauren is such an inspiring young girl and I wish her all the best for the future.”

Lauren said: “I can’t thank Rays of Sunshine enough for making my dream come true.”

Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity aims to brighten up the lives of seriously ill children by granting wishes.