WINCHESTER businesses are pulling together to raise funds for a poorly nine-year-old girl from Southampton.

Abby Randall, from Bitterne, was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer located in her collarbone, which doctors are desperately trying to contain through chemotherapy.

To raise awareness of Abby’s illness and funds to support her parents, Sally and Dave, a family friend has stepped forward to organise a tea party with the help of some of Winchester’s best-known High Street shops.

The raffle and tea party, held this Sunday (September 15) at Milner Hall on St Peter Street, has been put together by Elizabeth Edwards, 58, an assistant accountant from Springvale Road in Kings Worthy, after she heard about Abby’s condition.

Having known the family for several years after meeting Abby’s grandfather Barry, once Ms Edwards’s window-cleaner, Elizabeth decided to call on local entrepreneurs to donate to the worthy cause.

Ms Edwards said: “I would like them to have a weekend away. This is all to help them go away and have a lovely treat. Depending on the money raised we are hoping to send them to Longleat.”

With the help of Black, White, Red which donated a signed Harlequin rugby shirt, and several caterers and restaurants including Caracoli, Reeve the Baker, Char Tea and the new gluten and sugar-free cake makers Sans, Ms Edwards has been inundated with cakes, coffees and teas to raffle off to raise awareness for the disease which affects a mere 30 people every year.

For tickets to Abby’s tea party please call Elizabeth on 07930 819096. Admission costs £2.50 which includes refreshments.