TWO-year-old Hannah Maxwell-Jones is preparing for a journey which will change her life for ever - thanks to the generosity of people throughout the region.

In two weeks, the severely deformed youngster from Teesside will undergo pioneering surgery in the US to begin rebuilding her face.

If it is successful - and surgeon Professor Milton Waner says he is "optimistic" - it will be the first of a series of operations at the world's leading facial reconstruction centre.

When Hannah boards the transatlantic flight later this month the youngster will carry the hopes and good wishes of everyone in the region.

The trip to a world-famous plastic surgery centre in Little Rock, Arkansas, was made possible by the support of people across the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Earlier this year, Hannah's parents, Allison and Keith, from Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, appealed to The Northern Echo for help to raise the thousands of pounds needed to cover the cost of what is likely to be a series of trips to the US.

Last night, mother-of-three Allison revealed that the total raised so far is now more than £55,000 - a figure that has exceeded the family's wildest dreams.

It means that the family should have no cash worries about the extensive programme of innovative surgery which is only done at Arkansas.

The response from generous readers has stunned the family.

"I feel really humble at what has happened," said Allison Maxwell-Jones, an intensive care nurse at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. "We wondered whether we were doing the right thing to try to raise funds in this way.

"I didn't expect it to touch people the way it has. I find it difficult to cope with, it is so overwhelming."

Apart from covering the costs of medical expenses, accommodation and travel, the cash has also been a huge vote of confidence for the whole family.

"We went through so many situations where Hannah was shunned by people," said Allison.

"Now, all of a sudden everyone wanted to help her, it has been wonderful.

"We didn't just want to raise money, the other side was to generate awareness of people who look different and I believe that has happened.

"I can't honestly thank them enough because everyone has been so open-minded and open-hearted."

The family have pledged that any money left over will be donated to a charity dedicated to helping children with similar deformities.

If all goes according to plan, Hannah will undergo surgery on September 25. Ten days after the operation, it should be possible to decide whether she is well enough for the family to return to the UK.

But Prof Waner has warned that Hannah is likely to need up to five more operations in Arkansas.

Even after that, she will require further surgery before she reaches her teens.

While Hannah's mother is grateful that her daughter will be in good hands, she cannot help feeling apprehensive about the ordeal that lies ahead.

"It's not because I have any doubts at all. I trust Prof Waner and his team implicitly and I do know I am doing the right thing. But it is still a major operation and I can't help worrying."

Prof Waner is the first surgeon in the world to perfect a novel way of removing facial lesions known as haemangioma by using a combination of laser, scalpel and a "hot knife" which cauterises as it cuts.