Fantastic generosity; Chronicle COMMENT.

WHEN the Chronicle first revealed how Tilly Lockey had been struck down by meningitis, it was hard to believe famous sportsmen, film stars and singers would back her cause.

When Tilly lost both her hands and her toes to the disease, her parents appealed for help to fund specialist prosthetic limbs which would give their daughter hope of as normal a life as possible.

An appeal to Chronicle readers generated pounds 20,000 in just 48 hours and the fundraising has gathered strength since.

Now a collection of hand prints, which will be auctioned off to go towards Tilly's future care, have gone on display.

The fact that Sir Bobby Robson, the members of Girls Aloud and Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and Whoopi Goldberg are among those who took time to support Tilly says a great deal about how much she has touched the hearts of people in the region.

Were it not for the drive and persistence of those behind the fundraising campaign, Tilly's future would be considerably less bright than at present. Although the after-effects of meningitis will be with Tilly throughout her life, hopefully, her parents initial aim to give her the very best start will be achieved, thanks to her family and their friends, and to the terrific generosity of the North East public.

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