A COMMUNITY got behind an event to raise money for a poorly child so that she and her family could go on a well-deserved holiday.

Collingbourne Ducis held a fundraiser in the village on Saturday, raising £1,122 for a holiday and a playhouse for Ellie Davidson, mum Hannah Large and fouryear- old brother Oscar Davidson.

Seven-year-old Ellie was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was just three, and she received the devastating news that she had relapsed and would need a bone marrow transplant at the end of last year.

Fortunately, a donor was found and Ellie is now recovering well from the treatment.

However, she was only discharged from hospital on the morning of the fundraiser, after becoming ill with an infection.

Friend of two years Jane Boyd organised the event with other villagers, after wanting to do something for the whole family now that Ellie is on the mend.

She said: “The family are so well thought of in the community.

“When I told Hannah how much we had raised for the family, she was in complete shock.”

Locals donated their time free of charge to man stalls and paint faces while others baked cakes to sell at the event. Birthday Buddies provided Hello Kitty and Fireman Sam characters to entertain the young visitors.

Jane said: “We were very lucky with everything that happened on the day.

“I was very pleased with the day; it couldn’t have gone more perfectly.”