THE friends of an “inspirational” little girl who is being treated for cancer are fundraising to support the seven-year-old and her family.

Grace Smith, known to her friends as Binky, who lives in Nawton, was diagnosed with T cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in April and is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy at Leeds General Infirmary.

Her mum, Kathy Bootham, said Grace has been lethargic the week before she was diagnosed, but they had been told it was a virus.

“I knew something wasn’t right as over the Easter holiday, she wasn’t herself at all and further tests were made,” she said.

“At the moment she is having blocks of chemo which will take us up to Christmas.”

“She is doing really well and is dealing with it all as children do - she is pretty amazing.”

Grace, who is a pupil at Nawton Primary School, and loves horse-riding has previously taken part in charity runs with her mum.

Kathy said: “Since Grace was diagnosed we have had lots of support from family and friends who wanted to do something.

“It has been very overwhelming and we hope to take Grace on holiday when she is better as well as supporting the many different charities which have supported us.”

One of those fundraising for Grace is family friend Kate Roger who had her head shaved recently raising more than £1,000.

“I’ve been totally overwhelmed by people’s generosity, people who don’t know Grace or even me in some instances have been so kind and donated,” she said.

“I’ve been in touch with Kathy and told her to get Grace planning some hopefully amazing, fun, happy things to do when she is feeling better. She is an inspirational little girl.”

A sponsored walk is also taking place on Sunday, August, 6, starting at Low Mill Farndale, at 1pm.

Entry is £5 and sponsor forms are available by emailing donna.foster16@btinternet.com