THE family of a girl with heart and kidney problems has raised £2,000 as a thank-you to the children's hospital which cared for her at the height of her illness.

Chelsea McGuinn's parents and family have been busy over the last 12 months, organising events in aid of the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.

Chelsea, 11, of Fallbarn Crescent, Rawtenstall has just started Alder Grange High School in Rawtenstall but struggles to cope with the long days because she suffers from Cardiomyopathy and has kidney problems which makes her very tired.

At one stage her heart was working at only 12 per cent and one of her kidneys at 40 per cent.

The family have pulled together week-in, week-out to raise money for the hospital's heart unit.

Chelsea's grandmother Margaret Laing, 69, of Farholme Lane, Stacksteads, has been helping with the fundraising.

She said: "We have been doing all sorts this year, though the hard work has been done by Chelsea's mum Karen and my other daughter, Glenda Russell.

"Various events have taken place, including charity concerts, darts marathon, pub crawl from Crawshawbooth to Bacup and sponsored head shave.

"Local businesses throughout the Valley have been really generous and have donated lots of prizes for raffles, which helped to generate a lot of money."

Chelsea was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in 1999 after collapsing. She is now on antibiotics for her kidney problems and tablets for her heart and blood pressure.

Margaret said: "She finds it a strain to play with her friends and can't walk very far without her wheelchair, which is hard for a girl of her age." The wheelchair was stolen last year which left Chelsea's mum with a bill of £235 because it was on loan from a disablement centre in Preston.

The family have since clubbed together to buy her a new one which enables her to be more mobile.

In the time since Chelsea was diagnosed with the condition, nearly £5,000 has been raised for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

The family said this year would be their last year of fundraisng, but Margaret admits it probably won't stop.

She said: "After all the support Chelsea received we want to give something back, and while we are able to raise funds, we want to do all we can to help.

"I would to thank on behalf of Karen and all my family the friends and supporters who have given us their their backing and all the people who donated raffle prizes for the charity concerts we staged."

The family have organised a presentation evening at The Crown, Bacup Road, Rawtenstall on Saturday November 2, from 7pm onwards.

Various fundraising activities will be taking place on the night, including a raffle and a charity head shave, entertainment from Tony Barrie and a disco.

Anyone who would like to donate a raffle prize should contact Margaret on 01706 870868.