A SCHOOLGIRL who is preparing for a life-changing operation, has received a boost from fund-raisers after damaging an expensive hearing aid in a fall.

Their efforts have ensured that the parents of nine-year-old Eve McGuire, who suffers from Treacher Collins Syndrome, could buy a replacement costing £1,500 straight away.

Eve is go to America within a matter of months to have the tracheostomy in her neck removed, allowing her to breath independently.

Fundraising co-ordinator Neil Hunt said: "If we hadn't had the money for the operation, it could have been a difficult situation because the hearing aid is very important to Eve, but it is a lot of money as well.

"Thankfully we had the money and could pay straight away but we should really say a big thank you to all the people who have donated so far, and we would keep encouraging people to do what they can to help us."

Eve, from Westfield Oval, Yeadon, was born with the rare genetic disorder and has no external ears so needs the implanted hearing aid.

At the moment there is a risk of infection with Eve's tracheostomy and sometimes the tube gets blocked.

Eve has a health worker with her every day at West End Primary School in Horsforth to monitor the tracheostomy, but after the operation Eve will be more independent.

The family need £100,000 for the operation and three months of aftercare in New York.

Fundraisers astounded Eve's parents Belinda and Michael and brother Daniel by raising more than £90,000 in just over a year.

lAnyone who wants to help can write to the Eve McGuire Trust, PO Box 178, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6WZ or call Neil Hunt on 07831 482405.