MORE than £20,000 has been raised to support a two-year-old girl who suffered a stroke.

As reported, Lara Symes suffered a traumatic stroke at her Bridport home on Saturday, April 17.

She is undergoing treatment at Southampton Hospital and is expected to be there for up to three months.

Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club launched a fundraising page to support the family – Lara's dad Chris is the club's greenkeeper – and also held a golf day and silent auction.

The total raised so far is around £24,000, with most of this coming from the golf day and auction.

The funds raised will all go towards Lara's rehabilitation and supporting her family during this difficult period.

Andy Dennis, the general manager of Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club, said: "The club, Lara's family, and I are incredibly grateful to the whole community who came together to help support Lara. It shows what a very special area we all live in, who came together to support one of our own.

"The (golf day) was a massive success. We have a really close working team, and all the staff came together to deliver a really special event for all who attended. The speed of the reaction from the club and all the staff to produce an event of this size especially working within the Covid-19 restrictions was mightily impressive. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the members, visitors, volunteers, and staff that made this event possible.

"I am incredibly proud to be the general manager of this outstanding and forward-thinking golf club. The club, staff, and I are incredibly grateful to the generosity of everyone that has helped support Lara and the family through this challenging time."

Lara's father, Chris, has been the greenkeeper at Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club for the past 14 years.

The golf day saw members take part in a golf competition, along with a raffle, a silent auction and a 'beat the pro' competition on the course's signature sixth hole, where members would try to best Sophie Keech, a professional golfer on the Ladies' European Tour.

The JustGiving page remains open for donations, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/andrew-dennis