The family of two-year-old Canterbury girl Stella Rogers, who is battling a rare form of cancer, have been amazed by the response to their appeal following the Gazette front-page story last week.

Stella’s mother and father, Allison Hyde and John Rogers, are trying to raise £250,000 for their daughter to go to America for antibody treatment which should improve her chances of surviving the cancer, which struck her down at the age of 17 months.

Allison said: "It really could not have been better.

"We have been really touched and taken aback by the kindness of people who have given money to help pay for Stella’s treatment in America."

Since our story, the family, from Glen Iris Close, has received several donations, including £5,000 from Canterbury estate agents Godwin Curtis and £100 from a former colleague of Miss Hyde’s.

And while she and Stella were in the Whitefriars car park in Canterbury, a man who recognised them from the photograph in the newspaper gave them £25.

Juliet Pospielovsky, who is helping to co-ordinate the money-raising, said: "If lots of people just gave £5 or £10 we could get Stella to the US."

To donate to the appeal, visit the website at www.forstella.org or send cheques, made payable to the 2Simple Trust, to 3-4 Sentinel Square, Brent Street, London NW4 2EL.