CLUB regulars have raised more than £1,500 for a sick little girl who they have never even met!

Charlotte Speddy's story moved regulars at Rishton Conservative Club to support a £100,000 campaign which could lead to a better quality of life.

Charlotte was born with multiple birth defects, including a severe curve of her spine because she has two ribs missing. Another three ribs are fused together and two more are only half size, giving her lung no room to develop properly. She was given just hours to live and was oxygen-dependent until she was 18 months old.

Charlotte, now aged three, only has one functioning lung but even that has reduced due to the curve of the spine. Whenever she catches a cold, she needs oxygen to help her breathe. Her heart had also been pushed out of place and she can only get around by shuffling along on her bottom.

The only hope Charlotte's family --several of whom live in Rishton -- have of improving her quality of life is raising £100,000 to pay for treatment in Texas which would involve a lung transplant and the implanting of a titanium rib.

The first trip to the Santa Rosa Children's Hospital in San Antonio, will cost £7,000. The treatment has been developed there, and is not available anywhere else in the world.

And when Charlotte's great aunt Dot Burns told her pals at the club they immediately launched a fundraising campaign. A range of events were organised, including a sponsored head shave and a sponsored no-alcohol Christmas.

Fundraiser Stuart Hogg, of Chapel Street, said: "When we heard about little Charlotte's story, we couldn't help but get involved. We were all touched and knew we had to do something.

Charlotte, from Bethesda, in North Wales, is a twin. Her parents, Angela and Stephen, spent seven years trying for children before becoming successful after using IVF treatment. Dot, of Company Street, Rishton, accepted a cheque for £1,582.50 at the club, in Cliff Street. She said: "I am really touched that people would do so much to help Charlotte, who is one of life's fighters. It is only through support from people like those in Rishton that we can hope to raise all the money we need."

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Charlotte Speddy Texas Appeal can do so at Lloyds TSB using account number 0835324, sort code 30-90-43. An online auction, including signed articles form the Manic Street Preachers and Catatonia, is taking place at www.north-wales.net/starauction