Singers are raising the roof to help a Yeadon girl who is fighting leukaemia realise her dream of swimming with dolphins.

Marie Thompson, 15, is undergoing chemotherapy at St James's Hospital in Leeds.

But when that's over, she aims to fly to America to fulfil her dream, thanks to the Marie Thompson Dolphin Fund which has already raised around £3,000.

Now members of Rawdon Amateur Operatic Society, some of whom attend Benton Park School, Rawdon, where Marie is a pupil, have decided to help out.

They are staging a show this week, called Musical Magic, which will raise cash for the fund.

Dad Andrew said: "Marie has always had a passion for dolphins and had seen a programme on television about people swimming with them. Since then she has had an ambition to swim with dolphins herself and we are hoping to take her to America to realise her dream sometime next year."

The proceeds from the fund will pay for her trip with the rest going to Jimmy's.

So far, boys from Bradford Grammar School have taken part in a five-a-side football match and raised about £2,000; a blues night at the Clothiers Inn at Yeadon has raised about £500, Unit Four at Yeadon has raised in the region of £370; patrons at the Crown Inn, Yeadon, have raised about £100 and three members of Yeadon Constitutional Club have raised £100 from a sponsored head shave.

"People have been very generous and we have been overwhelmed by the response," added Mr Thompson.

Rawdon Amateur Operatic Society's, Musical Magic, features song and dance numbers from a variety of musicals including Cats, My Fair Lady, Starlight Express and Oklahoma. The show runs at Guiseley Theatre until Saturday, May 8. Tickets can be ordered by ringing (0113) 2504564.

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