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The family of a little girl with a serious illness have praised the brilliant efforts of her school and community in Over Wyre for rallying round.

Olivia Dempsey, who lives in Hambleton and is aged six, is a popular Year 2 pupil at Hambleton Primary Academy.

Two weeks ago she was diagnosed with DIPG, a tumour on her brain stem which will seriously shorten her life.

It was devastating news for Olivia's parents, college lecturer Mark Dempsey and wife Caroline, a nursing sister at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, who also have a four year old son, Ben.

Little Olivia Dempsey and younger brother Ben with her parents Caroline and Mark

But their friends, the local community and Olivia's school have been a huge help.

Olivia's uncle, Andrew Marshall, who calls his little niece Liv, said: "It's at times like this that people show how caring they can be and the school has been particularly brilliant.

"My sister Caroline, who is Liv's mum, was planning on taking part in the virtual London Marathon for the charity Children With Cancer, but she couldn't do it because she had just received the bad news and had so much to do.

"Incredibly, all the pupils in Liv's class did the run for her - they each ran a mile and managed to raise a huge amount for the charity.

"It is typical of the way her school has rallied round and we've all appreciated it."

Andrew, 36, who is originally from Poulton but now lives and works in Kendall as a civil engineer, is planning on making memories for the whole family to share while Liv is well enough.

He has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for something special to achieve that, and .the fund has now smashed the original £20,000 target and has so far raised more £21,249 towards a new £30,000 target.

He said: "Since I set up this fund, the response has been staggering.

Classmates of Olivia Dempsey, at Hambleton Primary, spell at the name of her mum Caroline with their special T-shirts when they ran the marathon for her

"In just a couple of weeks it has raised a huge amount and I just want to thank people for that, it shows you how kind they can be."

Mrs Holly Wood, head teacher at Hambleton Primary Academy, said: "When we heard the news that one of our gorgeous girls, Olivia in Year 2, had to spend some time in hospital for lots of investigations, the staff and children immediately wanted to help.

"She has such a positive and smiley outlook on life, no more so when glitter and sparkles are involved!

"So they began writing lots of letters and creating artwork to decorate her room.

Wyre family's praise for 'brilliant' community and school after daughter's serious diagnosis