Kind-hearted locals help Michaela

Progeria is an incurable genetic disorder which increases the ageing process eightfold and usually kills its victim by the time children are 15 - if they live that long.

As it progresses, children can become wizened little old men and women - often crippled with arthritis or heart disease, paralysed by strokes, hard of hearing, or with failing sight.

There are only five known cases in Britain and 40 in the world.

Michaela, from Ingrams Avenue, already has problems walking. She was featured on The Observer's front page last week when her mum, Lizzie McAvoy, asked for help to raise funds to take the family on holiday to a progeria centre in America.

As a result we have had promises of two sponsored slims and a percentage of proceeds from a Little Common pantomime. But Lizzie needs more help to brighten the life of the daughter for whom every day could be her last.

Lizzie said: "A trip to America for Michaela and her two little sisters, Melissa, five and Chloe, two, would be a wonderful memory for us all. Michaela has been to the centre with her Dad, Pat, but really the whole family want to be together because we never know when it will all end.It's so good for Michaela to be with other progeria children and their families to share experiences and understanding."

We rang Bexhill Rotary to see if they could start the fund-raising rolling among local organisations and got the green light from president Harold Lawrence that Rotarians would likely make a donation.

Mrs Annette Thomas, the grandmother of Michaela's best friend, Lauren Diner, seven, hopes to raise 500 from a sponsored slim and will ask fellow slimmers at her Weightwatchers class to join in.

Claire Dunn, 28, of Church Street, is also on a sponsored slim and will ask her Rosemary Conley classmate slimmers to join in and also ask St Peter's School, where her son Connor, six, is a pupil, to fund-raise for Michaela.

Lizzie says Michaela is as bright as a button, full of laughter and loves West Life, dressing up in the latest teen fashions and giggling with her friends. But her cheeky grin masks a lifetime of pain and which will only get worse.

Rochester-based aviation company Millen Aviation Services has offered Michaela a flight on one of its planes, after owner Mike Millen saw BBCTV's report on her plight.

If you want to fund-raise for Michaela send your cheques, made payable to Lizzie McAvoy, to The Observer offices, 18 Sackville Road, Bexhill and we'll pass them on.