A TEIGNMOUTH schoolgirl has raised nearly £750 for the local charity that is supporting her and her mum through cancer.

Ten-year-old Caitlin Woolley organised a cake sale, a dance marathon, a raffle, an auction and also distributed collection tins.

The Year 6 student at Teignmouth Community School presented a total of £749.38 to Force Cancer Charity in Exeter.

‘I am ever so happy that I managed to raise such a huge amount of money for Force, and I have just found out that I have got a part in the Newton Abbot pantomime. I am over the moon,’ said Caitlin.

Mum Zuzana Woolley has been helped by the charity during her treatment for thyroid cancer, and Caitlin attends the children’s group at Force’s support and information centre.

‘I’m so proud of her. I really didn’t expect that amount and we’re really grateful to everyone who supported her,’ said mum.

Caitlin is a student at the Totnes School of Dance, and friends and family joined her at their King Edward VI Community College studio for her sponsored four-hour dance-a-thon.

‘It was really tiring but it was worth it. Now I’m trying to think of what else I can do to raise money,’ Caitlin added.

She hopes to become a professional dancer and, in the meantime, will be rehearsing for the Newton Abbot & District Musical Comedy Society’s production of Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood, which runs from January 11-17 at The Alexandra Theatre.

Naomi Cole, Force community fundraiser, said it was always lovely to see younger people getting involved with fundraising and they were very grateful to Caitlin for working so hard to raise such a fantastic amount of money.

‘She came up with all of her own ideas, and was able to put them into action with hardly any help from anyone else,’ she said.

‘We are so grateful to her for thinking of Force and it was great to see what fantastic support she got from her friends and family – as well as all of the businesses who supported her.

‘Caitlin is already planning her next fundraising event, so we look forward to seeing her again before too long. What a star.’