A TODDLER from Springfield with a life threatening illness is one step closer to getting sustainable drug treatment after £7,920 was raised this month for her charity.

Events, including a ladies night at Chelmsford City FC and a football match organised by Futuresoccer at the Sandon School, helped raise the cash for the Help Indie Smith charity.

The fund is helping two-year-old Indie Smith, who in 2011 was diagnosed with the incurable blood disorder Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, also known as A-HUS.

Indie, from Raphael Drive, is being given a trial drug called Soliris, which is funded by Great Ormond Street.

But her parents, Gavin and Claire, were told that once the trial is over, the NHS will not be funding the drug, which costs £250,000 a year.

The charity was set up because, although the A-HUS UK family support group was confident the drug would receive NHS funding, the parents needed extra support in case it was bad news.

Gavin, 40, is grateful for all the help they have received and has enjoyed taking part.

He said: “My favourite event was probably the London to Southend bike ride. It was hard work, but it was worthwhile.

“Family and friends were there too. There was a team of about six of us, and we were all doing it for Indie. We raised £800.

“Donations have also come from the band Missing Andy and Joy and Ted Duke, who donated £780 from their 50th wedding anniversary instead of having gifts from people.”

Indie was rushed to Great Ormond Street just after her first birthday for a blood transfusion and kidney dialyses, after she started having seizures.

As a result of the drug, Indie is at high risk of catching meningitis, meaning the family are unsure as to whether she should join a school. However, despite the hard times, they remain strong.

Gavin said: “Because Indie was so young when she got ill, it has been her way of life. It’s stressful, as they have to put a thick needle in her chest, but apart from that, she lives a pretty normal life.

“We were in quite a bad place when she got it – as a parent you are helpless. But we pull through and have to be strong for her. We try not to think of the worst.”