This follows a whirlwind fundraising effort led by local entertainer Daz Sims and Georgia's family to raise £7,000 to buy the special machine, designed to give Georgia the chance to communicate with her family.

Hengrove staged a charity fundraising event at Norton Lane yesterday afternoon in which ex-professionals played a "Georgia's XI"; this was followed by a raffle, auction and much more. Daz Sims had come to the ground with around £3,000 left to raise but shortly before the event closed, the singer could confirm the target had been smashed.

Georgia will now soon have the Eye Gazer at home as well as at school and there was plenty of emotion as the clock ticked towards 6pm, and the target edged ever closer. Finally, after some football cards, some chest waxing and some brilliant singing from local youngsters, the £7,000 was topped. Any extra funds that come in will now be donated to a fund set up in the name of George "Zoggy" Zographou, a teenager who died last week after contracting meningitis. Daz played football with George, and Georgia's family kindly agreed that the surplus funds would go to another great cause.

The fun had begun shortly after 1pm when the Georgia's XI took on a side bristling with experience and nearly 2,500 Football League appearances. Ex-Bristol City stars Scott Murray, Louis Carey, Rob Edwards and Tommy Doherty all starred as the match ended with a whopping 24 goals, somewhat shared unequally!

Then it was into the clubhouse for a fabulous afternoon of music from those mentioned above plus special praise for Lewis, a young lad with a cracking voice, who wowed those present. There were also some top dance moves on show from one little boy who will surely be on Strictly in a few years time.

With the chest waxing and face painting also bringing in the money, the auction was successful with big bids for a signed Bristol City shirt, a set of cricket pads signed by the stars of "A League Of Their Own" and copious amounts of alcohol. A raffle also raised a significant amount and just as the event ended, the wonderful news was announced that Georgia's £7,000 target had been reached.

Almost 200 people turned up to the club for this lovely little Whitchurch girl and hopefully, her life will be changed forever by the purchase of the Eye Gazer.

A gallery of pictures is available here

Hengrove Athletic would like to thank, and congratulate, so many people involved in this event.

Georgia's parents Kevin and Katrina
Her sister Amy who didn't stop all day and all the other members of her family
Louis Carey, Marc Ford and all of the players from both sides

We'd also extend our thanks to...

Catherine Bennett for the face painting
Stacey Brice for the bouncy castle
Nicole Coles for doing the waxing
The music provided by Lewis-Martin Edwards, Senna Weeks, Mia Down and Paul Kavanagh
.. and all the other volunteers who we saw, spoke to, danced with etc but whose names we know not!

Finally to Georgia herself. At ten years old, she has been through so much in her little life but without the ability we all take for granted.... the ability to communicate. The epilepsy, the autism and the other conditions Georgia suffers from also make her life a challenge. But thanks to Daz's energy and commitment, and everyone else who has played their part in the fundraising, Georgia will hopefully be able to enjoy an improved level of communication with those close to her.

Take care, Georgia.