A WEYMOUTH family have been completely overwhelmed by donations and support from the public in their efforts to raise £40,000 for their daughter to have a life-changing operation.

Helen and Robert Kenner from Wyke Regis are raising funds for their daughter Tahlia, who suffers from severe Cerebral Palsy, to have surgery that will dramatically improve her quality of life.

Over the past month swarms of donations have amounted to thousands of pounds for Tahlia's fund. The exact total isn't known yet but there's plenty more fundraising to go.

Ralph Nubeebuckus, 67, contacted the family and volunteered to run the Cardiff Half Marathon for them.

He managed to raise more than £2,300.

Helen said: "We are completely overwhelmed.

"Ralph said he had never run a marathon before but had decided to do it for us. We are so grateful, he raised so much.

"One couple who contacted us, who were celebrating their anniversary, had told people to donate to Tahlia's fund rather that buy them presents.

"The League of Friends also donated £2,000 and we've had a lot of people sending cheques to us.

"Some people have been keeping quiet a the moment about how much they have raised and are going to surprise us.

"Morrisons is hosting a tombola and charity leg wax too. Tahlia will be doing the tombola herself and my son, Aiden, with a few other boys are doing a charity leg wax.

"We are just so grateful for everybody's generosity."

Tahlia was born at 29 weeks weighing only 2lb 14oz and spent her first nine weeks in the Special Care Baby Unit.

At 15 months she was diagnosed with severe Cerebral Palsy.

Tahlia, now nine, cannot crawl, stand or walk unaided.

Because of the Cerebral Palsy, Tahlia's muscles are constantly contracting, resulting in severe pain, cramps or spasms.

She also has complications with her hips, knees and ankles.

The surgery she needs is called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), and the family have been working with the Darren Wright Foundation to help raise the money.

The family tried to get it funded through the NHS but they only fund 120 operations a year and have therefore set a real strict criteria.

However, Tahlia can have the surgery done privately at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Helen added: "Tahlia has got such a bright, bubbly and cheeky personality.

"Her ultimate dream is to be able to walk and dance which she knows she will have to work really hard for, but she is more than willing to do it."

The family are hosting a children's fancy dress disco at The Lugger Inn in Chickerell on Saturday, October 31 from 2pm until 4pm to raise funds and family members and friends, including dad Robert, are braving a 15000ft charity sky dive on Sunday, December 6.

Weymouth Morrisons is hosting the tombola on Saturday, October 17 with a charity leg wax at 2pm.

Anyone who would like to donate can visit justgiving.com/Helen-Kenner/ or text TSDR50 to 70070 or can email Helen directly on helen.kenner@yahoo.co.uk