Caring gesture from girl celebrating sixth birthday

A six-year-old girl raised more than £300 for the Liam Andrew appeal.

Rosie Lirette, who has been friends with Liam for around a year, asked guests at her sixth birthday party not to take her a present, but to make a donation to the appeal instead.

Rosie, of Newark, met Liam at a karate class and the pair have been friends since.

Her mother, Helen, said when she told her daughter about Liam being poorly the youngster wanted to do something to help.

"She decided that instead of having presents at her birthday she would ask for people to give a donation," said Helen.

"I was very proud of her. I thought it was a great idea."

Guests were asked to wear yellow and the party had a Minions theme because the film characters are one of Liam’s favourites.

"The icing on the cake was when Liam was able to come along too," said Helen.

A total of £316 was given to the appeal.

Liam, 5 of Beacon Heights, has a rare, uncurable brain tumour called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

The appeal was started by his cousin, Mrs Laura Fearnley, and her husband, Liam, along with her mother, Mrs Tracy Ferguson, as soon as the diagnosis was known so money could be available for any treatments that might help.

People started to rally round immediately to help Liam’s parents, Stuart Andrew and Amanda Ferguson.