A FUNDRAISING campaign to send a disabled tot for revolutionary treatment has been given a major boost by the donation of a painting by a highly respected athlete-come-artist.

The family of four-year-old Ava Roberts, who has suffered from multiple seizures since she was a baby, need to raise £5,000 to send her for two weeks of intensive therapy in Slovakia in August.

Now painter Vanessa Raw has donated one of her works to be auctioned for the cause and it is hoped the image, of the Caribbean island of St Croix, will sell for well over the £1,000 reserve price when it goes under the hammer at Anderson and Garland auctioneers in Newcastle on Tuesday, January 20.

The Hexham-born artist, an Olympic triathlete, gave the gift because she was formerly coached by Ava’s grandfather, Keith Roberts.

She said: “It’s a great opportunity to give something back, as well as to the charity.

“The painting is of St Croix, where I went to train and race in 2007.

“It represents quite a tormented time through injuries but also feeling so elated at being in such a beautiful place where the light was spectacular.”

Ava’s mother Judith Roberts, from Nettlesworth, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, said: “Keith contacted Vanessa to see if she would donate something. We thought we might get a running shoe.

“When she decided to give a painting, I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it.”

Ava’s plight has touched the public’s heart. Supporters raised £12,000 to send her for treatment in Florida in 2012 and another £4,000 for her first trip to Slovakia’s Adeli Medical Centre last summer.

Around £1,000 more is still needed to send Ava and her mother to Slovakia in April and a further £4,000 to cover the August trip.

Ava underwent surgery shortly before Christmas, with medics inserting what has been described as a pacemaker for her brain, which it is hoped will control her seizures. However, it could be 18 months before her doctors know whether it has been successful.

To support Ava, visit facebook.com/foravasintensivetherapyhope2013 or justgiving.com/foravasintensivetherapyhope or text ‘AVAR59 £’ followed by your donation to 70070.