A BRAVE Netherton schoolgirl will be whisked away to Disneyland Paris when her cancer treatment is over, thanks to the generosity of family and friends.

When Chelsi Harris, aged six, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in January, the whole community was in shock.

Her mum, Amanda, who runs Netherton Conservative Club, said: "She woke up on Christmas Eve and was sick, but I put that down to excitement. She seemed to pick up until New Year's Day when she was really tired.

"A few days later, she came home from school and went straight to bed and got up the next day with a headache.

"The doctor thought she might be anaemic so she went for a blood test and a few days later I got the call to say she had leukaemia.

"I was so shocked, my world caved in. I thought they'd got the wrong blood test. I just keep thinking 'why my baby?'"

The Northfield Road Primary School pupil has been having fortnightly lumbar punctures and chemotherapy sessions at Birmingham Children's Hospital but despite her ordeal, she always has a smile on her face, according to her proud mum.

Inspired by Chelsi's courage, family friends Maria Bottley and Sharon Narroway decided to hold a raffle to raise some funds for her.

But things quickly snowballed and due to overwhelming support, the pair were able to organise a charity evening at the King William pub on Friday, where Lorraine Brookes - a total stranger to the Harris family - shaved off her hair and eyebrows to raise funds.

Tickets sold out in less than 30 minutes and the pair were also inundated with raffle prizes, which resulted in them raising almost £3,000.

Maria said: "It was a massive shock to everyone when Chelsi was diagnosed. She is one special little girl and so very brave - she says 'I'm a fighter', bless her.

"The money will go towards sending this little princess to Disneyland Paris when she's finished her chemotherapy.

"The people of Dudley are astounding and it warms my heart that there are so many good people around."

Since Chelsi's diagnosis was made public, her mum said the support has been overwhelming, with strangers as far as Canada and Dubai reaching out to send their well-wishes via social media.

"Everything has been so overwhelming but Chelsi has took it all in her stride," the 45-year-old said.

"She keeps asking why so many people want to help her. It her was idea to go to Disney so the money is in the bank ready for when she is able to go. I can't believe how generous everyone has been, I can't thank them enough."