A CHARITY is urging foodies to host a meal and raise cash for poorly youngsters, including a brave little girl born with a rare genetic disorder shared by just 17 other people in the world.

Little Grace Beverton, who is 18 months old, suffered multiple seizures in the early months of her life which has been put down to an incredibly unusual illness.

But in order to help her thrive her family, who live in Marks Tey, need to fund specialist equipment, house adaptations and intensive physiotherapy.

With the help of charity Tree of Hope the family have already raised £11,000 of their £40,000 target enabling Grace to attend physiotherapy on a fortnightly basis.

Grace's dad, who has asked not to be named because of the nature of his job, said: “Grace gets stronger after every visit and with assistance has begun to sit and with equipment stand on her own two feet while being by staff."

In order to continue to help Grace and other youngsters, Tree of Hope is bringing back their Dine and Donate project for the second year.

They want individuals, businesses and community groups to host a meal to raise vital funds for the charity.

Jane Beedle, Great British Bake Off Finalist and Tree of Hope Patron is busily planning her Dine and Donates. “I’m delighted to once again be supporting Tree of Hope’s Dine and Donate campaign and am very much looking forward to gathering friends together and raising funds for this remarkable charity.

"I have plans for an afternoon tea and a supper evening, prosecco with everything, of course!”

The campaign runs from March 1st to May 31st and Dine and Donate hosts simply need to decide what they’d like to host and who they’d like to invite. Tree of Hope have produced a pack filled with ideas to inspired that is emailed to all hosts who register to take part at www.dineanddonate.uk.