A FUND inspired by terminally ill schoolgirl Charlotte Wakeham is to help another Trowbridge youngster.

Leanne Barnes, a pupil at Larkrise School, has Rett Syndrome, a complex neurological disorder.

Charlotte's grandmother Wendy Bryant, who runs the fund, was contacted by Leanne's family after they heard about the charity set up in Charlotte's name.

The fund, called Charlotte's Chance of Life Fund, was set up after she was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer and has raised over £25,000.

Mrs Bryant and Charlotte's parents, Bill and Alison, of Westbury, were touched by Leanne's plight and are going to raise money to help pay for Leanne to receive intensive therapy with dolphins in Key Largo, Florida.

Leanne, who is the same age as Charlotte and would have attended Paxcroft School, where Charlotte was a pupil, needs £7,500 for the therapy.

Charlotte will join the fundraising drive by baking cakes to sell to raise funds for Leanne on her eighth birthday on November 22. Charlotte's father, Bill, will be shaving his head.

Mrs Bryant said: "When I told Charlotte about Leanne she said if she had been in her class at school she would have been her friend."

Leanne's mother Elaine Barnes said: "The doctors don't know what the prognosis is for Leanne but we know there are not any miracles.

"Leanne has no speech, she communicates with her eyes and through grunts, so if this therapy can touch one small bit and make a breakthrough in communication that will be worth it."

Leanne goes horse riding at Warminster once a week with the Riding for the Disabled Association.

Meanwhile more fundraising has been going on for the fund.

Pool players from The Pheasant Inn and Sir Audley Arms pubs in Chippenham and The Golden Cross pub in Cirencester ran a fun day. Teams took part in karting, pitch and putt and pool competitions. The overall winner was the team from The Pheasant Inn.

Bruce Martin, the owner of the Esso garage in Chippenham, was a member of the Pheasant Inn team and doubled the amount raised to £245.

The Southern Ambulance College, Chippenham, has adopted Charlotte's fund as its charity of the year. Staff and students have raised £1,108 through a variety of events.

These included an end of course party, pub quiz nights, a head shave by a student from Sussex Ambulance Service and the making of a CD.

Last Friday at Paxcroft School, Trowbridge, £4,500 was raised from a grand draw.

Ms Bryant is appealing for a person called R Oliver to contact her as they won a prize but left the wrong phone number.

They can contact Ms Bryant on (01380) 727130.