A whole community has rallied round to help brave York youngster Jade Cumberland whose artificial legs cause her constant pain.

Jade, who celebrates her tenth birthday on Sunday, was born with rare deformities and had her legs amputated in 1998.

She and her mother Jeanette, who live in Fourth Avenue, Tang Hall, had hoped her NHS artificial limbs would give her a new lease of life, but they have been agony for her to use.

Now people moved by her plight have organised two major events to start the newly-launched Jade Cumberland Charity Fund.

Jeanette said: "Everybody has been absolutely brilliant all round the area. Jade will be going along to the events so she can thank everyone.

"I feel so relieved now that things have got started. It's a weight off my mind."

She also praised Jade's school, Tang Hall School, and the friends she had made there.

Thousands of pounds need to be raised to help Jade find a viable alternative from NHS and private care.

The first fundraising event is tonight at the Crescent Working Men's Club, off Blossom Street, where music man Andy Wright and Josie Havens, a friend of Jeanette's, have organised an exciting evening of entertainment.

The event starts at 7.30pm with performances by Andy Wright's duo DNA and other bands.

A bumper crop of prizes, donated by local businesses, will be up for grabs in a raffle and auction. Tickets are £5 on the door.

Josie said: "I have know Jade for a long time and I saw the pain she was going through and wanted to do something to help."

Another fundraising event is being planned for the club in June.

Tomorrow night sees the next event at the Frog Hall pub, in Layerthorpe, where family friend Sue Lacy, with the help of landlord Wayne Allen, has set up a day of fundraising fun.

Sue said: "Jade has had such a rough time of it and we wanted to make things easier for her."

The event kicks off with karaoke from 2pm until 6pm, followed by a TV/music quiz from 6pm until 8pm.

Local musical duo As You Get It will launch a jamming session from 8pm until closing time.

Hundreds of top prizes have been donated by local firms for a raffle there.

Updated: 08:56 Friday, April 06, 2001