Generous readers provide staggering £4,400 for brave little girl Scarlett (From Dorset Echo)

Generous readers provide staggering £4,400 for brave little girl Scarlett

10:10am Thursday 14th March 2013 in News By Miriam Phillips, Chief Reporter

GENEROUS readers and well wishers have donated a staggering £4,400 in just under a week for little Scarlett.

It comes after the whole community has rallied round to help the nine-month old Scarlett Russ - who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis three months ago.

Ever since, her parents Lisa and Colin, have been trying to raise £10,000 for a special vest, which will help the Weymouth toddler breathe.

On Saturday the Echo launched an appeal to help the Russ family reach their target to enhance Scarlett’s life.

Mrs Russ said she is amazed and thankful to the readers of the Dorset Echo for their kindness.

She said: “It is just amazing – we never expected this large amount of support – not in our wildest dreams.

“We are grateful everyday for people helping our daughter and at the same time raising awareness for Scarlett’s condition.”

Since the first article last week, the Russ family have been inundated with people offering to run for charity, the Portland YOI have vowed to organise a charity match and local business have donated generous amounts.

Earlier this week the fund was boosted considerably by the League of Friends of Weymouth and Portland Hospitals who donated an impressive £1,000.

Letters flooding in with donations state that the story ‘touched their hearts’ and that Scarlett’s beautiful smile was worth every penny of their donation.

Scarlett’s condition affects her internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus, making it hard for her to breathe and digest food.

The vest, which costs between £9,000 and £10,000, is attached to a machine and helps to get rid of the mucus on her lungs.

If you can donate, even just £1 to the appeal, you will be making a big difference.

We need to raise £5,600 still so that we can buy the vest for this brave Weymouth toddler.

The Echo is distributing collection pots around the area today and we will publish a full list of place that you can donate later this week.

• Scarlett's family thank Echo readers
• You did it- Scarlett's fund reaches its total.
• Weymouth workers to tackle 12 mile walk for little Scarlett Russ
• Generous readers provide staggering £4,400 for brave little girl Scarlett
• Kind-hearted volunteer group donate £1,000 to help brave girl Scarlett
• 'Thank you so much' for helping toddler Scarlett
• Can you raise £10,000 to help this brave Weymouth toddler?