A MALTON toddler is one step closer to meeting Micky Mouse thanks to a donation of £1,000 towards a fundraising appeal;.

April Benton is just one of nine children in the world to suffer from Bilateral Striatal Necrosis which effects her mobility.

The two-year old has been suffering from the extremely rare medical condition since contracting a virus last year.

A fundraising drive has since been launched by Housemartins day nursery in St Michael's Street, Malton, which April has attended since she was a baby, to help her and her family have a dream holiday in Disneyland Paris.

Money has been raised by a number of events including a three -day 140mile cycle ride from York to Osmotherley and back by VickAllan and Julie Twamley, who both work with April at Housemartins.

The latest donation of £1,000 from the Earl Fitzwilliam Charitable Trust takes the fund to over £5,000.

Marsha Turnbull, owner of Housemartins, said: “We are delighted and very touched by this latest donation April’s holiday fund.

"The amount from the Earl Fitzwilliam Charitable Trust has now taken us over the £5,000 watermark, and of course we shall keep fundraising so that we can continue to help April and her family.”

April's mum Sarah Benton said: “I honestly don’t know where we would be without the nursery and what they have done for April. There are only nine youngsters in the world with the same condition. We take each day as it comes."

She added: “Marsha and the staff have gone way above and beyond what you would expect from a children’s nursery – we are very grateful to them.”

Additional events will take place throughout the year, culminating in a performance by Huge - The Ultimate Party Band, at the Milton Rooms in Malton on December 5.

To donate to April’s fund, contact Housemartins, St Michael’s Street, Malton on 01653 692020. Tickets for Huge can be purchased from Smash Clothes Shop, Market Place Malton.