MORE than £200,000 has been raised in a spectacular community effort to help a teenage girl fighting an aggressive brain tumour.

Lily Wythe, a 13-year-old from Eastwood, was given months to live after being diagnosed with a brain tumour last year.

After a biopsy, the tumour was found to be a fast-growing inoperable “diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma” – the deadliest form of childhood cancer with an average survival of eight to 12 months.

Last week, a Go Fund Me page to raise £300,000 to give Lily treatment in Seattle, USA, had raised £70,000.

However, thanks to a huge surge in public donations, Lily’s family have now raised more than £225,000.

The huge amount of interest has been generated by “The One Pound Warriors” Facebook group, the brainchild of Lily’s pal Lillie May Cotgrove, 13, which now has more than 107,000 members.

The idea is to get as many people as possible donating just £1 to Lily’s cause.

This afternoon, Diane Wythe, 40, Lily’s mother, posted on the group that the total had reached £225,000.

She said: “We started crowdfunding and by Thursday of last week the total stood at £78,000.

“Since Lillie’s One Pound Warriors kicked in, the fundraising has gone crazy. Lily is blown away by it all. She can’t believe that we’re nearly there.

“Lily had a scan yesterday and we will get the results in the next ten days which can then be sent to Seattle Children’s Hospital to find out what the next move is.”

People have been donating to Lily’s treatment from across the country.

Tracey Dickson, who lives in Scotland, said: “We donated from Glasgow because our best friends from Southend brought to our attention and as a mother, I know how precious our children are.

“I suffer from kidney disease and I’m in bed again and the site cheers me up every second as it’s so inspiring as everyone coming together for one very special young girl.”

Mary Chipperfield said: “I live in Malta and just want to show that this appeal is not just local to Essex and UK. My son and family live in Rochford, hence the connection. This shows what social media can do.”

Lia Archodakis, 40, of Laindon, added: “As someone who was diagnosed with cancer at 30, ten years ago, I have experienced all the hardships that cancer stirs up, from treatment limitations, losses in relationships and judgements.

“In the last five years, there’s been a turnaround in how we communicate, how people can get involved and not shy away, how we understand and can live with cancer if allowed treatment.

“I’ve seen this shift and thank God it’s happened, as beautiful people, science and communication platforms have allowed communities to come together rather than isolate individuals and families.”

To donate, click here.