SCHOOLGIRL India Robertson is bound for the United States to receive a life-changing operation – thanks to a fantastic response to her family’s plea to raise £60,000 for specialist medical treatment.

The money has been pouring in since India’s parents, Dr James Robertson and his wife, Jennie, of Main Street, Ebberston, were told the treatment 11-year-old India needs could only be obtained at the St Louis Children’s Hospital, in Missouri. But the cost of the treatment, together with travel and accommodation costs, would be £60,000.

Last weekend, £1,200 was raised by Paula Dunn and Paul Whitecross at a barbecue night at The Pheasantry in Snainton. Local bands Hamp and Emperor provided free entertainment.

Now the Robertson family are making last-minute arrangements for India’s operation in St Louis in about two weeks’ time. India suffers from cerebral palsy and needs selective dorsal rhizotomy treatment, which is currently only available at the American hospital.

Mrs Robertson said: “The response we have had from so many people has been unbelieveable. It has been fantastic.”

Dozens of events have been held in the Ryedale and Scarborough areas, as well as Cumbria, Teesside and The Shetlands, where Dr Robertson’s family live.

One of the biggest successes of the fundraising campaign, which started in January, was £3,000 raised at The Horseshoe Inn in Levisham. Several other pubs have rallied to India’s cause and run raffles and sponsored events.

The Derwent Valley pre-school playgroup at Hutton Buscel raised more funds, and students and staff at Lady Lumley’s School in Pickering, which India is to join in September, further boosted the appeal.

An old schoolfriend raised £400 through a bingo night and India raised £2,000 herself through a sponsored swim. More funds were raised at Thornton-le-Dale Primary School, which India attends.

Choir concerts, pie and pea suppers, coffee mornings, a film show, afternoon teas and auction nights all contributed to the massive multi-thousand pound challenge.

Mrs Robertson said an auction night is planned for September and money raised will go towards the costs of India having further treatment in the USA. India has to have physiotherapy treatment and monitoring treatment for the next three years at the St Louis hospital.

Dr Robertson, who works in the accident and emergency department at Scarborough Hospital, said: “We just want to send a big heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone for all their wonderful support. So many businesses have helped, as well as scores of people, to enable India to have this treatment.”