The campaign to fund a life-changing operation for a Monmouth schoolgirl has hit the £20,000 mark.

Chase Vaughan is six years old and, despite being an active child, her movement is severely restricted by cerebral palsy.

She was born 15 weeks early weighing only 1lb 8ozs, and the brain damage she suffered left her with poor balance and co-ordination.

"Chase has very high muscle tone so her legs are very stiff – it is not a degenerative condition as such but her mobility could get worse," mum Helen Morgan told the Beacon back in August last year.

A procedure called selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), which pinpoints the nerves in the spine that cause spasticity in the legs, offered hope but it came with a daunting £40,000 pricetag.

The NHS in Wales does not fund the operation being offered by Bristol's Frenchay Hospital, so families are left to raise the funds themselves.

Helen linked up with the Tree of Hope Children's Charity, which provides help for children needing specialist medical care, and set about raising the money.

Friends and family rallied around and following an appeal through the pages of the Beacon, people from all around Monmouth came forward to help.

"It is amazing to have reached £20,000 and be halfway to our target," said Helen.

"I want to thank everyone who has donated and helped us to get to this point.

"Hopefully we can keep the momentum going and reach the target soon."

The latest offer of help has come from MP David Davies, who is auctioning off a pair of first class return train tickets valid for any service run by First Great Western.

"These tickets are worth a couple of hundred pounds if you make a return trip to London," said Mr Davies.

"I'm hoping people will be as generous as possible in bidding for them, as the money will be going straight into the fund for Chase's operation."

To bid for the tickets, email your name, contact details and how much you would like to bid to [email protected]">[email protected] by Monday 28th January.

"I would like to thank First Great Western for providing me with the tickets and enabling this to happen."

This weekend, a wedding fair and catwalk is taking place at Bridges Community Centre in Monmouth with the proceeds going to Chase's fund.

The event, which will have up to 20 exhibitors, takes place between 12pm and 4pm and tickets are £5 including a raffle ticket.

Raffle prizes include a £250 voucher for David Christopher the jewellers, while a wedding dress worth £700 is the prize in a silent auction taking place on the day, courtesy of Belle Mariée Bridal.

To book call 07794499524 or pay on the door.

To donate to the Big Wish for Chase appeal visit http://www.justgiving.com/Helen-Morgan8">www.justgiving.com/Helen-Morgan8

There are also collection tins at Goldwire Stores, King's Fee Spar, Monmouth Leisure Centre and at the Beacon office.

You can also donate by texting ipcn97 followed by a space and the amount you wish to donate to 70070.