A LITTLE girl was so moved by the tsunami disaster she asked friends to send her money for the relief fund - rather than presents for her fifth birthday.

Bethany Starkey, from Eaglescliffe, arranged for all her birthday money to be donated to the appeal through 96.6TFM and UK Radio Aid.

When Bethany opened all her cards on her birthday she found she had collected £206.50.

Bethany's mum, Sharon, said: "Bethany knows how lucky she was to receive lots of great things at Christmas and I think she thought this was a way she could really help.

"We weren't sure of the best way of getting the money to the people who needed it, but Bethany loves the music on TFM and, when we were listening on Monday to UK Radio Aid, that is when we decided to take the money down to the radio station in Stockton.

"We'd really like to thank all Bethany's friends who were so generous in supporting her. Her face was an absolute picture as she opened her birthday cards and collected all the money that was in them."

Emma Simmons of 96.6TFM said: "Bethany's wonderful generosity highlights exactly what UK Radio Aid was all about. The fact that a young girl could be moved to help in such a big way brought a few tears to the TFM studio."

l A ceilidh in aid of tsunami victims will be held at the Billingham Arms, Billingham town centre, on Friday, February 11, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £3 each and are available on (01642) 676528