A PLUCKY youngster's battle with a rare kidney disease has inspired her family and friends to raise money for the hospital where she is being treated.

Four-year-old Mica Newcomb, from St Helen Auckland, has to have treatment at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary every three months.

When her parents Tracey Reynolds, 38, and Brian Newcomb, 41, were approached to help with funding for a new children's kidney unit at the hospital they jumped at the chance.

It is hard to believe that the little girl, who attends Copeland Road Primary School, in West Auckland, is ill.

She takes her health problems in her stride and enjoys life to the full, the same as any child of her age should.

Since her mum and dad began their fundraising marathon they have been overwhelmed by the support they have received from businesses in the Bishop Auckland area.

Miss Reynolds said: "We held a Christmas raffle and people were so generous. We had 15 prizes and raised £514.''

Money raised from the raffle has been matched by Frank Hudson Transport in Bishop Auckland, Millennium Hard Woods, Shildon and retired business people Bill and Linda Moody. This has brought the total to just over £2,000.

Miss Reynolds said: "We have been through a lot. The first two years were really hard and we were at the hospital every day but Mica is a brave little girl. We cannot believe how much everybody has supported us and we just want to thank them all.''

The family has vowed to carry on raising money for the hospital to thank the staff there for the care they show Mica.