A MAN was inspired to raise money for a little girl who lost her hands to meningitis after reading about her plight in The Northern Echo.

Ramesh Patrai, 64, from Darlington, raised more than £100 for the Give Tilly a Hand Appeal, which raises funds to buy prosthetic limbs for Tilly Lockey, from Consett, who was just 15-months-old when she contracted meningitis.

Mr Patrai, who is retired, read about the appeal and decided to raise funds among his family and friends by showing them the article.

He said: “I was just talking to people that I know, and showing them the cutting from the newspaper and her picture, and asking them to give what they could.

“When I read the story I wanted to do what I could for her, because she has her life ahead of her and I thought about how she would cope without her hands.”

The Give Tilly a Hand Appeal was set up by Tilly’s parents, Adam and Sarah Lockey shortly after doctors were forced to amputate her hands to save her life.

The aim of the charity is to provide funds for the upkeep and renewal of Tilly's prosthetic hands, as well as providing security for her future needs and adaptations.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to Give Tilly a Hand can do so by visiting givetillyahand.com