Staff and well-wishers at the nursery where poorly twin Grace Hitchen was cared for as a healthy baby have raised an amazing £2,000 towards her dream trip to swim with Florida dolphins.

Kiddi-Creche, in Bingley, dedicated a week to the cause of Grace’s Wish which aims to send the eight-year-old, her twin sister Emily and parents Carl and Fiona to the USA for the holiday of a lifetime.

Grace, of Eldwick, has the rare condition Niemann Pick Type C, which means her brain is fast losing its ability to govern her bodily functions – the same condition that ended the life of her elder brother Harry when he was aged seven.

On Friday, all of the staff and many of the pre-school children arrived in fancy dress, including owner Marie Lister who set up the Bradford Road nursery 20 years ago.

“I’ve known Grace and Emily since they arrived here as babies and they are such a lovely family, we really felt we had to help,” said Mrs Lister, dressed as Cruella de Ville.

“We know how important this trip is for them so we have had raffles, cake sales and sponsored sing-alongs all week and we’re confident we’ll make at least £2,000.

“The Hitchens are one of our families and we’ll do whatever we can to support them.”

Dressed as a princess complete with tiara, Grace was guest of honour at Friday’s fancy dress event and clearly enjoyed her return to the nursery.

“It’s just tremendous to have this amount of support and we’re so grateful to Marie and all the nursery staff,” said mum Fiona.

“Since Grace’s story appeared in the Telegraph & Argus we’ve also been contacted by dozens of people who want to help make her wish come true, which is brilliant.”

* Details of how to help with fundraising are available at graceswish. co. uk/ home/. Her late brother's story is at graceswish.co.uk/brother-harry-s-story/