CHILD singing sensation Hollie Steel turned out to help a terminally-ill mum raise money for her children’s future.

Justine Hargreaves, who has cervical cancer, is hoping to set up trust funds for her five children after learning she may only have six months to live.

The 37-year-old has only recently broken the news to her teenage daughter Jade, Sam, eight, Nathaniel, seven and five-year-old twins Coral and Crystal, as she “just couldn’t find the words”. The news came a year after she lost her partner Stuart Alan Davis, who took his own life.

So far £5,000 has been raised for the Help Justine appeal launched by her best friend Victoria Tierney, but more is needed.

The charity event at the Brewers Arms in Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle, yesterday was set up by Dave Berry and his wife Chris, who were touched by the appeal when they read about it in the Lancashire Telegraph.

Dave said he was “gobsmacked” Hollie agreed to perform after sending a letter to her only addressed Hollie Steel, Huncoat.

It found its way to the 11-year-old, formerly of Burnley, and she performed I Could Have Danced All Night from the musical My Fair Lady in front of hundreds of excited well-wishers.

Hollie’s mum Nina said: “We get a lot of requests for Hollie to do charity events, and we have to be careful about how many she does because she’s only a young girl, but we couldn’t turn this down.

“It’s such a lovely cause, it’s all about families, and it’s very local to us.”

The event saw families join in a treasure hunt followed by an afternoon of family fun complete with a children’s entertainer and a raffle with more than 70 prizes.

Justine, of Chester Street, Accrington, who attended the event with her children, said: “I’m overwhelmed by the support.

“To have Hollie here as well has made it extra special. I’m very grateful that she’s taken the time out of her schedule and her holidays to come.”

Another fundraising night will be held on Saturday at the Orchard Working Men’s Institute in Whalley New Road, Accrington, from 7.30pm, where Justine’s friends will enjoy an 80s-themed disco.

To donate, email helpjustine@hotmail.co.uk