A FUNDRAISING drive to help a young girl with an extremely rare condition has been given a boost by local shoppers.

April Benton, six, from Malton, is one of only nine children in the world suffering from bilateral striatal necrosis, which affects her mobility. She was diagnosed with the condition after contracting a virus in 2014. Her parents, Sarah and Paul, are now hoping to extend and adjust their home to cope with April’s increasing needs.

A donation to the fundraising has not been made by Morrisons supermarket in Malton. A sponsored swim is also underway organised by Richard Scarth, who runs sports activities at St Mary’s RC School, which April attends.

Sarah, who works at Karro Foods in Norton, said: “Debbie Abbey and Pam Friend who is the Community Champion from Malton Morrisons saw the article in the Gazette & Herald regarding April’s fundraising and they wanted to do something to help her April is well known to many of the staff at Malton Morrisons as we have done our weekly food shop there for many years.

Sarah added:”Morrisons decided to display charity collection buckets on every checkout raising £321.50 which was from both staff and customers.

“Paul, April and I are incredibly grateful for such a generous gesture from Morrisons, this will contribute towards adaptations required in the home to meet April’s growing needs.

The donations so far from Morrisons, Karro Food Group and the Just Giving page have totally overwhelmed us, this money will have a huge impact on our lives as disability equipment and adaptations are extremely costly. Our huge thanks also goes to Richard and the team completing the swim challenge to help April.”

Morrisons store manager Martin Hogg, said: “We were quite passionate about wanting to do something for April, so having a bucket collection was one of the quickest ways we could think of as all our customers are very generous and love to help where possible.”

To make a donation go t www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/richard-scarth-1