LITTLE Laura Carr will swim with dolphins thanks to the generosity of wellwishers and a MAD charity group.

Ten-year-old Laura, who lives with an undiagnosed mystery condition, will fly to the JF Dolphin Project in Florida in April after six months of fund-raising paid off.

Parents Julie and Paul are hoping the two weeks of therapy will help in the development of their daughter, who has severe learning difficulties and can barely walk or talk.

Her musical family, grandad Beat Boy Ronnie Carr, dad Paul, of State of Quo, and brother Rick organised a fund-raising music extravaganza at the Monaco Ballroom at Easter money poured in for the trip.

And when Leigh's quiet charity champions Making A Difference heard of Laura's fund it decided to help.

On Friday, the lads, led by founder George Prescott, presented the family with a £2,000 cheque at a concert at Edna Road Labour Club to bring the fund to a close.

Julie, of Wigan Road, Leigh, said: "We managed to raise £4,000 but the cheque from MAD will take the pressure off us. We can now get down to compiling the reports the centre will need to build a special programme suited to Laura's needs.

"We have been in touch with other families in the same boat and they have all said the trip was worthwhile and helps a lot with communication which is one of Laura's problems.

The MAD group, whose members all live in Leigh's Wigan Road area, formed four years again when founder George worked in a Preston brewery and he and workmates decided to set a challenge.

They chose a sponsored climb up Snowdon -- carrying a 22-gallon keg of bitter. By the time they reached the top, they were too tired to drink it and left it there.

That was their first stunt and since then, they have become a registered charity and quietly help children's causes. When they heard of Laura's appeal, they allocated £2,000 from their coffers to reach the target.

Julie said: "People have been so kind. It's all systems go now and when Laura is told she's going to swim with dolphins she gets a bit giddy."