Ref. 12506/1GAZETTE & HERALD: LESS than three months into our fundraising, the Gazette's Lydia Cross appeal stands at a whopping £7,650.

The fund, which was set up to raise £12,000 for a year's treatment for Lydia, was swelled this week by a dance at Corsham Community Centre which raised £1,600 more than the organisers dreamed they would raise.

Former secretary of the centre Brian Walder said: "We read about Lydia in the Gazette and immediately thought that we wanted to do something.

"I have organised dances at the centre before so I thought that would be a good way to raise some money, but I never dreamed we would sell so many tickets and raise so much.

"The people of Corsham have really gone all out to help Lydia and had a fantastic time doing it.

"Corsham indie rock band The Backfires and Chippenham band Speaker's Corner both performed for free on the night and shops and businesses throughout the town contributed prizes to what was to become a huge raffle.

"On top of that, the town centre football team held a pool match and a darts competition and by the time all the tickets were sold and the money was counted up, we'd far exceeded the amount we hoped to raise."

Mr Walder who, along with the other organisers, met Lydia and her family said: "She is a remarkable little girl.

"We are all very pleased to have been able to do something to help her."

Lydia, three, of Chippenham, had both her legs amputated below the knee after suffering septicaemia. Her parents Jodie and Tony need £12,000 each year for her continued treatment.

The Gazette is aiming to raise as much money as possible to help the family pay for Lydia's treatment.

Cheques, made payable to the Lydia Cross Appeal, can be sent to the Gazette & Herald, 31 Market Place, Chippenham, or donors can deposit money straight into the Lydia Cross Appeal bank account at Lloyds sort code 30-91-99 account number 3091761.