A LITTLE girl who won over the hearts of regulars at an East Lancashire club is set to travel to America to undergo a life-saving operation.

Charlotte Speddy, three, has never met members of Rishton Conservative Club -- but they were so moved by the story told by her great aunt, Dot Burns, that they insisted on raising money to help pay for her £100,000 transatlantic operation.

Charlotte, of North Wales, was born with multiple birth defects, including a severe curve of her spine because she has two ribs missing.

Another three ribs are fused together and two more are only half size, giving her lung no room to develop properly.

She was given just hours to live and was oxygen-dependent until she was 18 months old.

Charlotte, only has one functioning lung but even that has reduced due to the curve of the spine. Whenever she catches a cold, she needs oxygen to help her breathe. Her heart had also been pushed out of place and she can only get around by shuffling along on her bottom.

The only hope Charlotte's family --several of whom live in Rishton -- have of improving life is raising £100,000 to pay for treatment in Texas which would involve a lung transplant and the implanting of a titanium rib.

The first trip to the Santa Rosa Children's Hospital in San Antonio, will cost £7,000. She travels there on August 9, and Dot, of Company Street, today paid tribute for the support she received.

Some £1,382 was raised in the town for the brave tot. Dot said: "We are all delighted the money has been raised. I never expected everyone to be so helpful but they were all moved by her story.

"They must be confident they can do something to help her otherwise they wouldn't have asked for her to travel over.

"It is great the people in Rishton have done so much even though they have never met her."

A range of events were organised, including a sponsored head shave and a sponsored no-alcohol Christmas.

Fundraiser Stuart Hogg, of Chapel Street, said: "When we heard about little Charlotte's story, we couldn't help but get involved. We were all touched and knew we had to do something."

Charlotte, from Bethesda, in North Wales, is a twin. Her parents, Angela and Stephen, spent seven years trying for children before becoming successful after using IVF treatment.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Charlotte Speddy Texas Appeal can do so at Lloyds TSB using account number 0835324, sort code 30-90-43.