Lauren hits the heights

The money goes to SASBAH, the local organisation which provides support and advice for those suffering with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

Lauren was born with spina bifida and her parents were warned she might never walk - but she went on to prove the doctors wrong and is now accomplished performer who dreams of a professional career on stage.

During half-term week she is taking part in Annie at the White Rock Theatre, a musical production by Hastleons, and will appear tonight (Friday) and tomorrow afternoon as well as Saturday evening.

Proud mum Linda, of Whychurst Gardens, told the Observer this week her reaction to the total raised by the sponsored glide.

"I thought it was quite impressive for a little girl. We don't have any family so that is all from friends, companies, and outside people.

"I thought it was quite significant really - we were lucky to have generous donations from individuals.

"We wanted to say thank you to East Sussex Gliding Club who donated the flight and their services for the day. The flight itself would have cost 100 and they didn't charge us for that. Also they had three planes going up while Lauren was filmed - they really put a lot of effort in.

"We also wanted to say thank you to Rother District Council chairman Joanne Gadd and her husband Brian who turned up to the event, and SASBAH manager Rom Sanglaji who turned up - he didn't have to, but he was there for Lauren all day and I thought that was really nice of him."

Companies which helped with sponsorship included Priory Meadow Shopping Centre, Park Lane Group, Argus Newspaper, Donaldson and Dunstall solicitors, Caffyn's, Sunnybank Fencing and Harvey's of Lewes.

Lauren, a pupil at Netherfield School, thanked MP Greg Barker and editor Peter Lindsey for their support and everyone else for helping make her day "a really wicked day".