A GIRL with leukaemia has gone on the holiday of a lifetime, thanks to kind-hearted readers of The Northern Echo.

On Sunday, five-year-old Vicki Jones and her family set off for EuroDisney, in France, on a holiday that looked in doubt when an organisation that had pledged to raise money for the trip disappeared.

Vicki's parents, Carol and Bryan, from Waldridge, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, could not bear to tell their daughter her dream holiday was ruined when they realised they were not going to get the £900 pledged by Phoenix Cancer Care for Kids.

The unregistered charity, in Dudley Hill, Bradford, is under investigation by the police and the Charity Commission.

But readers of The Northern Echo stepped in and raised about £900 - enough to cover the cost of the trip and to give the family spending money.

Mrs Jones said the youngster had been unable to contain her excitement.

Speaking before they left, Mrs Jones said: "She had to have a thorough check-up at the hospital.

"Vicki can't wait. She's not sleeping with all the excitement.

"I'm trying to get her to calm down by taking her to the park."

The family are travelling with a bona fide charity, Batti About Kidz, run by two nurses from West Yorkshire.

One of the nurses, Andrea Marchant, said: "They've got their spending money and everything, which is great, because now they can come away and have a brilliant time.

"The stress and pressure is off for them. It's absolutely superb."