YOUNGSTERS from a Brownies troop have helped the family of a child who lost an eye to cancer.

One-year-old Elyssa Davies had her right eye taken out in May after being diagnosed with retinoblastoma.

And the Darwen tot was left with a battle to save her sight after a tumour was also found in her left eye.

Mum and dad Natasha Scott and Philip Davies, of Gordon Street, have faced a costly few months with regular trips to London for the youngster to receive treatment.

Doctors believe Elyssa can live with the tumour and keep her sight if it is kept under control and continue to monitor her condition. Elyssa’s parents have been boosted by the support of family, friends and strangers, who have raised almost £4,000 to help pay for travel and make up for their lost earnings.

Natasha said they were stunned when they were told St Cuthbert’s Brownies had raised £450 through a sponsored walk to Darwen Tower.

She said: “We did not expect anything like that as they are only children so it was really nice. We were surprised, to be honest, as we knew nothing about it until they told us they had raised the cash.

“We have done really well with the fundraising, which is helping us lots with the travelling.

“The support we have had from everyone has been amazing and we really appreciate it.”

Natasha, a hairdresser at Dimensions Hair Studio, Wilpshire, said Elyssa was doing well but still needed regular treatment.

She said: “She has got a new prosthetic eye in now, which is better than the other one she had.

“She is still having treatment in her other eye and we are still having to go to London regularly.

“The doctors say the tumour is responding to treatment and it is just a case of monitoring it.

“Elyssa is fine in herself and is doing really well. She is behaving like a child her age should do.”