A PRETTY five-year-old girl is raising money for the charity that helped her family stay close to her while she had life-saving heart surgery.

Freya Ingham, of Kittiwake Close, Tyldesley, had open heart surgery at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital when she weighed only 14lbs just before she turned two after being born with a hole in her heart.

Her family wanted to be close to Freya when she was in the Liverpool hospital and, with the help of the nearby Ronald Macdonald House, they were able to be to be.

The charity provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families with children in hospital.

Keen to repay the charity for its precious gift to her family, Garrett Hall Primary School pupil Freya entered the Miss Belle UK beauty pageant in aid of Ronald Macdonald House and has reached the national finals for her age group, having won the north west heat.

The finals will take place in Preston on June 2 and the family has also arranged a special fundraising party at Tyldesley Rugby Union Football Club in St George’s Park, Astley Street, to raise money for the charity.

Held from noon to 2pm on June 19, the party will see raffle prizes up for grabs and various activities to enjoy.

Freya’s mum Claire, a teacher, said: “The charity was a real haven for us as a family.

“Freya has a twin called Alex and an older brother called Dylan, and to have somewhere to stay with them as well meant we could stay as a family.

“She is ok now but she knows that she was poorly when she was younger and wants to help and thank the doctors and people who helped mum and dad.”

“Freya entered the pageant to raise money for Ronald MacDonald House and has got so far already, and we hope that this has raised awareness for families out their looking for support.

“We would love support from the public to raise as much money as we can for the charity.”

To donate visit just giving.com/Claire-Ingham11. For party tickets check out the Facebook event page at bit.ly/1WCq0QZ or e-mail claireaingham@yahoo.co.uk.