TERMINALLY-ill Charlotte Wakeham and her family are going to raise money to help a girl suffering from a complex neurological disorder swim with dolphins in America.

Charlotte was so touched by the plight of Leanne Barnes, who has Rett Syndrome and cannot talk, that she has vowed to bake cakes to sell on her eighth birthday next month in order to help fund the £7,500 cost of the Florida therapy.

Charlotte's grandmother Wendy Bryant, who lives in Devizes, was contacted by Leanne's family after they heard about Charlotte and the charity set up in her name by Ms Bryant.

Charlotte, from Westbury, has a rare form of brain cancer and more than £25,000 has been raised for the charity, called Charlotte's Chance of Life Fund.

Ms Bryant and Charlotte's parents, Bill and Alison, want to raise money to help pay for Leanne to receive intensive therapy with dolphins in Key Largo.

Leanne, of Trowbridge, attends Larkrise Special School in the town. Had she been healthy she would have attended Paxcroft School and may have been in the same class as Charlotte as the two girls are the same age.

Charlotte's father, Bill, is going to have his head shaved and Charlotte is going to bake cakes to sell on her birthday on November 22.

Ms 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."

Meanwhile, more fundraising has been going on for Charlotte's Chance of Life Fund.

Pool players from The Pheasant Inn and Sir Audley Arms pubs in Chippenham and The Golden Cross pub in Cirencester took part in a fun day.

The event consisted of the pub teams taking part in karting, pitch and putt and a pool competition. The overall winner was The Pheasant Inn.

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

The Southern Ambulance College, based in Chippenham, has adopted Charlotte's Chance of Life Fund as its charity of the year.

College staff and students have already 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 production of a commemorative CD.

Staff at the college decided to raise money for the fund after reading of Charlotte's plight in the Gazette.

Andrew Ormston, a paramedic instructor at the college, said: "Most people can relate to Charlotte, especially people in our job. We plan to make it the college's charity of the year."

Last Friday at Paxcroft School, Trowbridge, £4,500 was raised for the fund from a grand draw. Ms Bryant is appealing for one of the draw winners called R.Oliver to contact her on (01380) 727130.