A COMMUNITY rallied round a seriously ill toddler yesterday as she prepared to face her latest hospital treatment.

Two-year-old Sienna Smith is in desperate need of a liver and bowel transplant and will travel to Birmingham this weekend for tests to assess her suitability for the life-saving operation.

Sienna, from Emley Moor Road, in the Firthmoor area of Darlington, was born six weeks early with gastroschisis.

The syndrome meant she was born with her intestines outside of her body.

She has spent most of her life in hospital, six weeks of which were on a life-support machine, while medics battled to save her.

Yesterday, more than 200 Darlington residents turned out for a fundraiser on her behalf.

Friends, family and well-wishers turned out to contribute to the fund and the event raised £2,052, including a £600 donation from St Hilda’s Church, Darlington.

Organiser Debbie Dixon, who works in Firthmoor’s playgroup, said: “It is like a cuddle from the community. We are putting our arms around them and saying ‘we care’.”

The money will be donated by Sienna’s family to the children’s gastro-team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle. But as well as raising money, the event was also about boosting the profile of organ donation, said Mrs Dixon.

“As sad as it may seem, supposing someone lost a child, then maybe they would think about donating their organs, then something good can come of it,” she added.

Tania Wilson, who also organised the event, said: “It has touched everyone. Every bairn is special, but this has brought the community together. This area doesn’t get a lot of good publicity, so it’s nice to show how strong the community is.”

Victoria McFadyen, Sienna’s mother, had not been expected at the event, but arrived with Sienna to thank everyone for making the effort.

“She is in desperate need of the transplant,” she said afterwards.

“We knew this day was going to come since she was born. In some ways it’s been lucky we have been able to put it off so long.

“We knew we would be heading down this road, but some children die from this syndrome aged one or younger, so we are grateful.

“I would like to thank everyone who came down today, it has been really nice to see everyone.”