A FUNDRAISING appeal to send a little girl with an extremely rare condition to Disneyland Paris has raised over £13,000.

April Benton, from Malton, is one of nine children in the world suffering from bilateral striatal necrosis, which affects her mobility.

The three year old, was diagnosed with the condition after contracting a virus last year.

A fundraising drive launched by House Martins Day Nursery, also in Malton, which April has attended since she was a baby, has now raised over £13,000 to help her and her family enjoy a dream holiday in Disneyland Paris.

The latest events included a concert with Hugh at the Milton Rooms and Santa Day at the Steam and Moorland Centre near Pickering.

April’s mum Sarah, said the amount raised was amazing.

"We cannot believe people's generosity," she added.

"April really enjoyed the Santa Day and was very excited to meet Father Christmas and tell if the presents she would like."

Sarah said the whole family was looking forward to the trip to Disneyland Paris next May.

"House Martins originally aimed to raise £1,000 and never in a million years did I expect that they would raise so much," she added.

"It has been very emotional for the whole family to think of what so many people have done for us."

Sarah said the additional money raised would help April with any specialised equipment she needed as she grew and developed.

"We would like to thank everyone who has been involved in so many ways and especially everyone at House Martins without whom none of this would have been possible - they are all amazing," she added.

Bernadette Hopkinson, from the garden centre, said they held a charity event each year and had decided to raise funds for 'April's Adventure'.

"We had a lovely day and will be continuing with the collection boxes until Christmas," she added.

"We would like to thank Ali and Harmonia Ladies Choir, Marsha Turnbull for the mince pies, Santa, Neil Beecham and the Salvation Army Band, Lawrence and his Steam Trains, and all the staff at the garden centre who helped get everything ready and kept the railway track clear all day. "