Maddy Cruxton with mother Debbie, brother Billy and sister Charlie.LITTLE fighter Maddy Cruxton is full of smiles after she battled against a rare tumour - with some help from Tisbury residents.

Maddy was only three years old when she was diagnosed with Wilms' tumour, a rare childhood cancer that affects the kidneys.

Within weeks, villagers were raising money for the ward where she was treated.

Now, almost 14 months later, the four-year-old is about to undergo her final course of chemotherapy and doctors are delighted with her progress.

"It was such a shock when we found out she had the tumour, because she didn't seem ill," said her mother, Debbie.

"But within hours, it had been diagnosed and everything started."

Maddy underwent months of chemotherapy before having two operations to remove the cancer.

The tot lost one of her kidneys, but luckily the tumour had disappeared from the other side and the family avoided the nightmare of having to wait for a donor.

"It has been very up and down, but the support we have had has been incredible," said Mrs Cruxton.

"Maddy has been rushed to hospital on several occasions because she is so ill, but mostly she has been very cheerful and energetic.

"She took part in Tisbury carnival just a month after her operation and she is always running round, even though she is still having chemotherapy."

When they heard of Maddy's illness, kind-hearted locals rallied round her parents, Debbie and Nick, brother Billy (ten), and sister Charlie (seven).

The South Western Hotel made £900 from a quiz and other events.

Meanwhile, at St John's Primary School, a non-school uniform day, a summer ball, a pool competition and collections raised another £6,400.

A team of adventurers also completed the Three Peaks Challenge for Maddy's Fund.

They climbed Ben Nevis, Scarfell Pike and Snowdon in under 20 hours and raising an impressive £1,520 along the way.

All the money will go to the Piam Brown ward at Southampton Hospital, to buy equipment, toys and trips for the young patients and their families.

"The staff there are superb - every single person has been brilliant," said Mrs Cruxton.

"It makes it so much more bearable.

"At the time, it felt like the world was ending, but you realise there is always someone in a worse situation and you have to stay positive.

"We just want to thank people in Tisbury who have been so kind.

"Now Maddy is doing so well, we are excited about having our lives back and looking forward to the future."