Buy photos Katie Mander, customer advisor, with Paul Ballantyne, manager, Hayley Jepson, business manager and Natalie Naughton with Georgia Almquest. Picture by Neville Collins. 40012037ncb1 http://www.buyphotos247.com

MORE THAN 8,000 has already been raised for the Hope for Georgia campaign which is aimed at sending Bromsgrove girl Georgia Almquest to America for revolutionary stem cell treatment.

Georgia, who is two-years-old next Saturday (October 13), has cerebral palsy, which means she is unable to hold her head up, sit or crawl. The stem cell procedure, which will cost 20,000, will improve her quality of life and, doctors have said, is her only chance of walking.

Almost 4,000 of the total was raised at a funday at The Sugarbrook pub in Charford, which took place on Saturday (September 29). That had a variety of activities, including a tombola, raffle and people doing sponsored events, such as waxes.

Georgia's mum Natalie said: "It was an amazing event - everyone was giving really generously and getting into the spirit of the day.

"There were even adults having their faces painted.

"I can't believe how much has been raised so far in a matter of weeks."

She thanked everyone who has contributed so far and the Bromsgrove branch of the Halifax bank which has collected more than 400 for the appeal. That cash was raised from a quiz and Irish bingo which took place at the Hanbury Turn. Prizes, included a signed Leicester Tigers rugby shirt, donated by Jordan Crane, a luxury fruit and wine hamper and an M&S gift voucher. The event raised 203.13, but with the bank matching the funding, the total will be 406.26.

Katie Mander, from the Bromsgrove branch of Halifax, organised the event.

She said: "I am very pleased that this money can go to such a good cause - Georgia will get to her 20,000 target with the help of everyone in Bromsgrove."

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Fund-raising gives hope for Georgia