AN Aveley primary school teacher is taking to the streets to raise £1,000 for a five-year-old girl who has battled through cerebral palsy and meningitis.

Little Daisy May has been beset by problems ever since she was born prematurely.

Only last month, she was rushed to hospital for a brain cyst.

Her family, who live in South Ockendon, have set up a charity, Dreams for Daisy, to help raise money for her treatment and also for the charity that directly assists her – Tree of Hope.

Being born 12 weeks early, Daisy suffered a massive brain haemorrhage, which led to quadriplegic cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus and seizures.

Alice Milliken, pictured, a reception teacher at Aveley Primary School, will be running the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, April 12, to raise money forDaisy.

Alice got to know Daisy when she went on a home visit for her sister, who was in her class.

She said: “I was just blown away by her determination. She is such a happy little girl and she’s had so many things she’s had to overcome.”

“But she didn’t stop smiling the whole time we were there. When I sawhow brave she was, I thought, ‘you know what, I can do this’.”

Sue Sales, who is a teaching assistant at Aveley Primary School, said: “She is a gorgeous little girl who touches the heart of everyone who meets her.”

Alice has just got back from maternity leave, which makes a marathon even more of a challenge.

She said: “I’m a bit anxious, but I’m looking forward to it.”

The teacher has already smashed through her £500 target by raising £828, and has now set an even higher target of £1,000.

The money will be used to support home physiotherapy until Daisy is well enough to go back to her special needs school.

To donate to support Alice’s run and towardsDaisy’s treatment, visit https://www.justgiving.com/alice-landragin1/ or https://www.justgiving.com/Daisy-May-Summerhayes/