A TODDLER'S brave battle against cancer has inspired a community to rally round and raise money to send her on a dream holiday.

Two-year-old Katie Grant was diagnosed with a brain tumour after she failed to recover properly from a stomach bug last year.

Since then the youngster, from Darlington, has been holding her own against the disease, much to the admiration of everyone who has met her.

Her story inspired 36-year-old Damon Hazell, a sports science student at Bishop Auckland College, County Durham, to run the London Marathon last month to help raise enough money to send Katie and her parents, Justine and Andy, to Disneyland Paris for a much-needed break.

Mr Hazell expected that his quest would raise about £1,000 but he has been overwhelmed by the generosity of his fellow students and businesses in Bishop Auckland.

He said: "I decided to do the run for Katie after I heard what she and her family were going through.

"Her dad, Andy, is a sports lecturer at the college and he is a lovely guy.

"Since I said I was doing the run, the support that I have had has been amazing. I cannot believe how generous everybody has been.

"The students at the college have gone out of their way to collect sponsor money and the lecturers have done their bit as well.

"Everybody has taken Katie into their hearts. I have done marathons for good causes in the past but have never had this sort of response.''

So far, Hays Travel, which booked the holiday, has given £300, £150 has come from B&Q, The Green Tree Pub, Bishop Auckland, has given £150, and Garnetts Coaches and Beaumonts General Stores, in Beaumont Street, Bishop Auckland, have donated £100.

Asda Bishop Auckland has organised collections and a charity night and arranged for a stretch limousine to take Katie and her family to the airport.

Mr Hazell said: "We have raised over £4,000 and money is still coming in. This is enough to send Katie and her family to Disneyland Paris for a week.

"She will travel in style and stay in the best hotel there. We have even arranged for her to have breakfast with a different Disney character every morning.

"I just want her and her family to have a holiday of a lifetime and I cannot thank everyone enough for their support.'