Christmas single for Blossom raises £1,000

A Christmas single released to help raise money towards the treatment of a three-year-old Shropshire girl who suffered a rare stroke has raised about £1,000 in just over a week.

Blossom Burton, from Bayston Hill, near Shrewsbury, suffered the stroke while she was two. At the time it was feared she would never walk again.

A single called A Merry Merry Christmas Time by Ivor Rowley, from Telford, was released earlier this month to raise cash to help continue Blossom's recovery.

A charity event with the artists involved in the single is planned for Monday to further boost funds. The event will take place at the Malt Shovel Pub in Hadley Park Road, Leegomery, Telford, from 8pm.

Entry is free with guests invited to make a donation or buy a copy of the single.

Mr Rowley, who has organised the night, was joined in the studio by local musicians and the song is being sold for a minimum donation of £2.50 to go towards Blossom's treatment.

Clare Francis, who was involved in the recording of the single at Scadge Studios in Hortonwood, said she was delighted with the final product.

Two bands, The Endings and Francis Bell, will both perform at the pub.

Mr Rowley has had 400 CDs made and they can be bought at The Crown Inn, in Oakengates or by e-mailing merrychristmassong@googlemail.co.uk

Blossom suffered the rare stroke due to contracting chicken pox and was left paralysed and in intensive care for a month at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

This month the youngster appeared on ITV1's This Morning.