NINE year-old Charlie Dunne didn't forget the little girl she met when they were both in hospital encased up to their waists in plaster.

And when Charlie read about the bid to raise funds to send her friend Laura Carr, of Wigan Road, Leigh, to Florida to swim with dolphins, she was determined help.

Atherton St Philip's pupil Charlie, of Laburnum Avenue, Atherton -- who was born with a dislocated hip and met Laura while undergoing hospital treatment -- raised £525 with a sponsored walk she organised from her home to Lilford Park in Leigh.

Nine-years-old Laura, who has severe learning difficulties and can barely walk or talk, with push chair power provided by her mum Julie, joined Charlie and her dad Phil, Hindsford councillor Mark Aldred, Charlie's aunt Angela Ryan and her cousin Michelle to complete the sponsored trek and boost the charity total to £3,866 -- just short of the £4,000 target to send Laura on a therapeutic trip to the USA.

Julie explained how Laura had been accepted on to the programme at the JF Dolphin Therapy Centre at Fort Walton, Florida and will start the therapy next year.

Grateful Julie told the Journal : "Many thanks to Charlie and her family. And thanks to all who helped out and supported The Monaco event and also to Barbarellas for their contributions."