Town warms to Michaela's story

In just three weeks, nearly 250 letters have flooded into the Observer's office with offers of money, aeroplane flights, fundraising events and internet auctions.

Michaela's parents Lizzie and Pat have been left 'gob-smacked' by the massive response just three weeks after many first became aware of their daughter's tragic story.

The little girl, who attends Sidley Community Primary School, suffers from a rare ageing disease called progeria which currently has no cure. Aged seven, she has the body of a 56-year-old.

With only five sufferers in Britain, little is known about the disease here.

Michaela could suffer from a number of age-related illnesses during her shortened life. She already has arthritis.

Her parents are hoping to raise 10,000 to visit a research centre - the Sunshine Foundation in America - and the fund has swollen with the generosity of Bexhill residents.

Mother of three Lizzie said this week: "I am just so overwhelmed by it all. It is just gob-smacking! I am so touched by the response and how kind people have been.

"Because we have never tried to raise money like this before, we didn't know what to expect, especially when we experienced ignorance towards progeria when we lived in Sheffield.

"I didn't even think we would get half of what we have raised so far."

Progeria children are not expected to see their teens, but Michaela has already proved doctors wrong by reaching seven - the age by which her parents were told she would die.

Michaela and her dad, Pat Doyle, visited the foundation earlier this year. A trip for the whole family would mean a further insight into progeria, as sufferers from all over the world are brought together.

The Rotary Club have pledged 400 and personal cheques for 10, 5 and 50 are bringing the trip within sight.

Bexhill mother Alex Jenkins is auctioning signed Holly Valance and Harry Potter goodies on the internet to raise money for the USA trip.

Anyone wishing to place an early bid can e-mail Alex at [email protected]

Alex, of Woodville Road, said: "I am not sure if it is because I am a mother myself or for some other reason, but I really feel I want to help.

"I can't help feeling that if everyone in Bexhill did something small for the family, they could raise this money in no time."

Items up for auction include signed Holly photographs and the hat she wears in her latest video, Down Boy.

Other offers of help include:

*Transport to and from the airport from the Bexhill branch of St John Ambulance.

*A fundraising evening, organised by Councillor Charles Clark, on November 2 at Pebsham Community Centre.

*Phillip Moore, 13, of Glovers Lane, has given the Observer a huge cuddly toy to auction for the appeal.

*A couple who run a Rochester aviation company gave Michaela and her family an experience to remember when they took them on a pleasure flight (see page 7).