THE mother of a schoolgirl who overcame a rare form of cancer is planning a fresh fund-raising drive to help research into the disease.

Brenda Risby, of Kingsmead Park, Paddock Wood, whose nine-year-old daughter Demie suffered from Neuroblastoma, organised a Caps for Kids Day at the town’s primary school last February to help The Neuroblastoma Society.

The event, which involved children and staff wearing headgear all day in return for a donation of £1 each, raised more than £400.

Now Mrs Risby, whose daughter is in remission, hopes to hold another Caps for Kids event involving the school to highlight Childhood Cancer Day on February 15.

She said: "Last year’s event was very successful and I would like to do something similar this year."

Demie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that attacks the nervous system, in April 2005.

She has endured months of intensive chemotherapy, operations and a series of other illnesses before being declared all clear of the disease in June 2006.

Mrs Risby said: "She is going along fine now. She still has a lot of time off school and gets aches, pains and tiredness."

In September 2006, Demie played a princess in a performance of Swan Lake, staged by Ellen Kent Opera and Ballet International, at the Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells.

Demie’s day was arranged by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which organises once-in-a-lifetime experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses. She wore a beautiful dress and feathery pink tiara, which she has been allowed to keep.

Caps for Kids, a national event, is being organised by Georgie’s Fund which was set up in memory of eight-year-old George Hayhoe who lost his battle against neuroblastoma in January 2004.

Georgie’s Fund raises money for The Neuroblastoma Society The Neuroblastoma Society, which pays for most of the research into the disease.