A CHARITY supporting the siblings of poorly youngsters has been awarded a cheque for more than £7,000.

Laura Rolph-Wills, of Grafton Road, Dovercourt, launched Sponsor a Sibling in 2016.

Her youngest son Harry suffers from a rare form of Batten disease, which is found in just one or two children in the UK each year.

His illness has resulted in a gradual loss of sight, mobility and speech - he now has to be fed through a tube.

But while there has been a lot of help for Harry, Laura realised her eldest son Joshua, was indirectly affected and wanted to help children like him.

So Sponsor a Sibling raises funds for the siblings of poorly children with gifts and the use of a family holiday caravan adaptable for disabled children.

To help the charity, Marks and Spencer, in Colchester, gave Laura a cheque of £7,700.

Laura said: "We have been overwhelmed by the dedication and commitment shown by the store, employees and customers alike.

"Activities which have been organised to support Sponsor a Sibling included half marathons, 13-mile walks, cake sales, raffles and bag packing."

The team at Marks and Spencers has also donated books and toys to the charity.

It has also nominated Sponsor a Sibling to be charity of the year.