A couple caring for their daughter who has terminal cancer has been offered help from a complete stranger after she became aware of their plight.

Lauren Smith and Richard Sutton of Keyberry Road, Newton Abbot, have been caring for their four-year old daughter, Megan, since she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia last year.

Lauren, 29, a nurse with NHS Direct, and Richard, 32, part of the flight maintenance crew with Flybe, Exeter, are signed off sick so they can be with her constantly.

But now Alison Lee has come forward as a surprise fundraiser to help the family.

Megan, an only child, was diagnosed last December after being unwell for five weeks and began treatment on Christmas Eve. She has an aggressive form of the disease and has only weeks or months to live.

Lauren said: 'It's been absolutely horrendous. At the beginning we were told it is treatable but it is now terminal.

'She had three lots of chemo. When she didn't respond they tried her on a trial drug. They were hoping to do a bone marrow transplant and had a perfect match with someone in Canada.

'Unfortunately it couldn't go ahead as doctors couldn't get her cancer into remission.

'In herself she is really well. She's as bright as a button and is up and about and enjoying things but tires very easily.

'She is a really girly girl. She loves dressing up and playing with her dolls and being with other people. She is energetic and bubbly and stubborn like me and her dad. She understands that she is not well, but we haven't really discussed it further.'

Until she became ill, Megan attended Happy Days Nursery in Courteney Park. Recently she went to visit her playmates and had a Princess Party.

Alison Lee, of Tudor Road, Newton Abbot, has asked if she can do some fundraising for them. She heard about their plight through a friend, whose daughter was being treated at The Bristol Children's Hospital at the same time as Megan.

She said: 'I wanted to do something for Jade but my friend Jenny said someone was already helping her, she would rather I help Megan. I spoke to Megan's family that they were quite happy to go along with it.'

Lauren said: 'Obviously it is getting difficult financially. To have someone to raise money means a great deal. It's difficult for us to accept but once you have been in this situation you realise you have no choice.

'It's very kind of Alison, also of Jenny to say she would like Alison to do it for us.

'We will use the money for everyday things, no big excursions. Recently we spent a week at Ladram Bay, thanks to the charity CLIC Sargent. They have been fantastic and really supported us.'

Alison has arranged an all-night disco for young people aged 13+ at The Junction in Newton Abbot on August 1. The Plough at Buckland has agreed to let her put on a disco soul, funk night the same day at 7.30pm.

'I'm leaving it to people to make a contribution,' she said.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Alison Lee on 07966 571631.