To his daughter Beatrice, Andrew Howden is already a hero.

Now the 37-year-old is hoping to become an IronMan, too, as he prepares to take part in a gruelling endurance competition in Germany this summer.

Andrew's daughter Beatrice, now three years and five months old, was diagnosed with Type Two Spinal Muscular Astrophy (SMA) in July 2010. The rare genetic disease prevents signals from Beatrice's brain reaching her muscles, meaning she will never be able to walk.

To give Beatrice the freedom other children enjoy, Andrew and his wife Amy, from Whitley, North Yorkshire, have bought a powered wheelchair. The NHS does not fund them for children under five, so the family have had to pay more than £20,000 - a cost that will have to be repeated every five years as the chair is replaced.

Andrew, also father to one year old Henry, said: "The NHS has been great with Beatrice and given her fantastic care but unfortunately they couldn't help with funding for the wheelchair she needed because of her age.

"We managed to buy the chair but it is far from a one-off cost and we will have to raise money continually to ensure Beatrice can get about, and we also need to adapt our garden for her."

Andrew has decided to try to complete the challenging IronMan triathlon in Regensburg, Germany this June to raise money for the Get Beatrice Mobile campaign. The event consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile marathon run - all in the space of 16 hours, and without a break.

Andrew's training was given a boost when Askern Leisure Centre in Doncaster, where Beatrice is a regular swimmer, gave him free use of the pool.

Andrew said: "The staff there have been great, both before and after Beatrice's diagnosis, and she really enjoys getting in the water. In fact, she has been going since before she was born, while Amy was pregnant with her!"

Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust's Kraig Kelly said: "We are delighted to be helping Andrew in his preparations for the IronMan triathlon. Beatrice puts a smile on everyone's face at Askern Leisure Centre and we are always keen to help people in their efforts to raise money for such fantastic causes."

The German event will be Andrew's second attempt to complete an IronMan triathlon. Andrew said: "I entered the IronMan triathlon in Wales last year but the conditions were very harsh and I was advised by a race marshal to stop 92 miles into the bike leg. I have picked myself up though and I have been training hard with my club, the Bridgtown Cona Testa Triathlon Team. Hopefully I will be able to finish this time in Regensburg."

German company Xdream Sports have paid Andrew's entry fee for the triathlon while Nirvana Europe Ltd are covering his travel and accommodation costs. Andrew has also received support from Cannock based Bridgtown Cycles, but he continues to seek public sponsorship for his effort to complete the course.

Whether Andrew finishes the triathlon or not, Beatrice will still be smiling. Andrew said: "Despite her SMA Beatrice is a very happy little girl and a bundle of joy. She enjoys doing all the things other children do, so we are raising money to make sure that she can continue to do so."

The 2012 IronMan takes place on June 17 in the Bavarian city of Regensburg, and will be Andrew's latest triathlon. He recently completed the Primera Swashbuckler Triathlon in Hampshire.