MUSIC fans donated more than £1,000 to help a three-year-old girl with cerebral palsy walk again.

Busking for Alexia was Clacton’s version of Glastonbury with musicians performing live at busking points in High Street and Pier Avenue in a bid to raise £75,000 for Alexia-Rose.

For the past 19 months, parents Toby and Emily Sinclair, of Weeley, have been on a mission to fund SDR – selective dorsal rhizotomy – surgery in America which will drastically improve the youngster’s mobility.

She was born prematurely with quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy, which severely limits her movement and co-ordination.

Performers from across Tendring, including the SMC band, Out of the Blue and Fred Zimmer, rocked out on stage while fundraisers collected coins from passersby.

Co-organisers Lawrie and Peggy Salkeld, of Jaywick, were overwhelmed at the public’s generosity and were even moved to tears.

Lawrie said: “A young boy gave his pocket money to us and it started Peggy off crying.

“Emily brought Alexia to the square so people could speak to them both and although she doesn’t like all the loud noise, she was superb, and I had a cuddle.

“She’s such a wonderful wee girl and her parents strive so hard – they’re a tremendous family.

“People brought fold-up chairs and were sat listening to music all day, it was absolutely fantastic. To top £1,000 is brilliant.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Event organiser Lawrie Salkeld posing with performer Lisa Strong

The Salkelds, who hosted the event with Clacton Town Partnership, thanked retailers Nancy’s Kitchen and Edinburgh Woollen Mill for their support on the day.

The prolific fundraisers say their work for charities and local causes is simply “for the love of it”.

And suggestions to make the event annual or even more frequent have not been ruled out.

Mr Salkeld said: “Another one wouldn’t be impossible to do as there’s always up-and-coming talent who want to publicise their brand, so I wouldn’t rule it out.

“There’s always going to be an Alexia or another child in need. Considering the family were told she’d never do anything, Alexia is a real fighter, and has won our hearts.”

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