VILLAGERS have raised more than £1,000 to help send a girl overseas for a life changing operation.

Lynn Docherty and other mothers in Witton-le-Wear held a fundraising day in aid of Fraja Simpson.

The family of five-year-old Fraja from Leeming in North Yorkshire are trying to raise £500,000 to send her to the US for treatment after she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma with MYCN amplification, a nervous system tumour affecting fewer than 100 UK children a year.

Ms Docherty was so moved by Fraja’s story she decided to raise some funds.

A family fun day was held in Witton-le-Wear Community Centre which raised more than £1,000 for Fraja’s appeal.

Funds were also raised for Zoe’s Place baby hospice.

Ms Dochety said: “I would like to thank everyone who took part to raise funds for these worthy causes.”

Ms Docherty is now planning to hold a charity cyclethon on Saturday, May 25, at the Victoria Club in Witton-le-Wear with volunteers cycling the equivalent distance to Wembley stadium in London on exercise bikes.

For more details on Fraja, go to justgiving. com/fraja-ellie-appeal