KIND-hearted locals are swelling the coffers of a fund to send a severely disabled girl on a £8,000 dream holiday.

From Brownies to bowlers, young and old alike, have so far raised nearly £4,000 to help send 11-year-old Emma Berman, of Polefield Hall Road, Prestwich, to Florida for the world famous dolphin therapy.

Emma, a pupil at Elms Bank High School, has been severely disabled since contracting meningitis when she was five-months-old. She has cerebral palsy and epilepsy and, as a result, has problems walking and does not speak.

Even more events are planned as people continue to pledge to make her dream come true. Bowlers, attached to Kearsley Social Club, are having a fund-raising "trios" competition at the club on Saturday, August 21, while the Prestwich Conservative Bowling Club will donate the proceeds from its Christmas fair in December.

Mum Juliet, a volunteer for Bury-based charity Hurdles, aims to raise £8,000 to take Emma to the States and a charity fund has been set up.

So far local Scouts have completed the Three Peaks Challenge, scaling Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis in aid of the fund. Brownies held a sponsored silence while Prestwich Ladies Bowling League ran a charity competition.

Donations have also come in from individuals and groups.

Mrs Berman said: "We are hoping to go next April or May, and it really seems to have caught people's imagination. I am really amazed by how kind people have been.

"Because of the severity of her disability, I don't think Emma realises that these people are fund-raising for her, but she loves all the attention. People have been so generous."

The Kearsley bowling competition starts at 11am, entry £3. For details contact Betty Yates on (0161) 281 7395.

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