BIG-hearted children at a Hoddlesden primary school have helped an appeal to send a 10-year-old girl to the US in a bid to save her sight.

Deputy head teacher at Hoddlesden Primary School Janine Jose is campaigning for her niece, Scarlett McCracken, who underwent a lifesaving operation four years ago after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

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And cells left over from the operation have pushed on the youngster’s optic nerve, causing her to start losing her sight.

On hearing that Scarlett’s family, who live in Kirkham on the Fylde coast, needed to raise £14,000 to fund the 4,500-mile trip to an Oklahoma City hospital, bosses at the Bayne Street school set about organising a Scarlet for Scarlett fundraising day to boost the funds.

For a minimum £1 donation, children at the school wore red in honour of Scarlett, and £500 was raised for the appeal’s coffers.

Mrs Jose said: “Everyone at the school wanted to help.

“They were aware of what had happened to Scarlett as I have worked at the school for 11 years now.

“And when we started raising money the staff couldn’t believe it and suggested doing the Scarlet for Scarlett day.

“The support from the school has been absolutely overwhelming.

“We only asked for £1 donations so for them to raise £500 was amazing.

“I feel so happy to work with such great people and to have such lovely children.

“It is a real family school and it is because of that we have managed to raise so much money.”

School business manager Valerie Green said: “We will definitely be doing more fundraising events for Scarlett in the future.”

Scarlett – who has already lost the sight in one eye and has just tunnel vision in the other – will fly out on Monday and the NHS has agreed to fund the £90,000 proton beam therapy and travel to America.

But the family have been raising money so Scarlett and her mum, Kerry, can afford to stay there for an expected eight weeks while treatment is ongoing.

To make a donation to the appeal to help Scarlett, visit www.gofundme.com/kvzi90.