Hands appeal for meningitis girl

The parents of a toddler who survived a deadly form of meningitis have launched a campaign to buy her a pair of prosthetic hands.

Tilly Lockey from Consett in County Durham needed 10 blood transfusions after contracting meningococcal septicaemia in January.

The 21-month-old pulled through but lost her toe tips and both hands.

Now parents Adam and Sarah are appealing for help to raise the £20,000 needed for prosthetic replacements.

They said the loss of their daughter's hands were "a small price to pay" after initially being told to prepare for the worst.

Donate handprints

Mr Lockey said: "She can still play and pick things up. She can shuffle along on her bum but a lot of work needs to be done to get her back to where she deserves."

A "Give Tilly a Hand" website has been set up, encouraging celebrities to donate handprints which will be auctioned to raise money.

Gateshead FC have also pledged to donate half the gate takings of their testimonial match against Newcastle United on 6 August.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund should visit the family's website.