ONE in a million... that's Michelle Lewis our charity champ who has smashed through her £1million target... with a little help from some special friends.

For nine years Michelle, from Rainhill, has dedicated her whole life to raising money for charities, despite her own disability. And last year she announced that she wanted to reach the magic million by her 18th birthday. Brave Michelle,17, was born with arthrogryphosis, a crippling disease which stunts the growth of muscles and tendons. Not only did Michelle reach the marvellous million pound mark this weekend, but she also won the wheelchair mini London Marathon for the second time running raising £2,000 for Macmillan Nurses in the process.

Michelle's mammoth fundraising efforts were highlighted last week when the former Cowley High School pupil was featured in the Pride of Britain Awards where she was presented with the award for best fundraiser.

So impressed by Michelle's determined approach to fundraising a host of stars pledged to donate money and help the teenager reached the million pound goal which she wanted to achieve by her 18th birthday in July. Michelle was £70,000 short of her goal, but with the help of the stars and countless donations from members of the public she has managed to reach her target. Just 24 hours after meeting Diana Ross, Michelle received a cheque in the post for approximately £10,000, that was followed by £27,500 from Chris Evans, £27,500 from Carol Vorderman, £10,000 from Richard Branson, £5,000 from Peter Stringfellow, £2,000 from actor Anthony Andrews and £200 from TV presenter Esther McVey.

A delighted Michelle, who organises the popular Michelle and Friends cabaret events at the Liverpool Empire and Theatre Royal, St Helens, to raise money for charity, told the Star: "I can't believe that I've reached the million pound mark and it's going to be a great start to my 18th birthday celebrations on July 13. I set myself the million pound target for my 18th and now with the help of the Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards I have been able to achieve it "I would like to thank all the people of Merseyside and St Helens for their great support over the years and I am now looking forward to June 23 when Michelle and Friends will be at the Liverpool Empire again with the added bonus of a whole host of celebrity guests including stars from Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and Brookside. And there is now a possibility that I will be taking Michelle and Friends to a London Theatre, as well as hosting a charity event at 10 Downing Street in 2001 thanks to the kindness of Prime Minister, Tony Blair."