A YOUNG girl from Broadstone with a rare brain disease is set to benefit from a fundraising event organised by local business, Forum Jewellers.

The Dine with Diamonds event will take place at Broadstone Gold Club on Thursday, October 18 from 6.30pm and will include a talk from diamond expert, Helen Dimmick; a two-course buffet meal, goody bag and raffle, which includes a diamond pendant worth £1,000, donated by a Forum supplier.

Guests will also have the opportunity to handle some spectacular examples of loose diamonds and diamond jewellery.

The money raised will go to support eight-year-old Fern is being supported, along with her family, by the Dorset Children’s Foundation. After a big seizure aged three, she was diagnosed with Alexander disease, and last year became very poorly, suffering vertigo, headaches and severe dystonia (muscle spasms). She lost the ability to walk and swallow safely, and is now tube fed. Her neck is now in a constant spasm, meaning she cannot lift her head.

Helen Molloy, Forum’s director, said: “We are so happy that all the proceeds from the Dine with Diamonds event will go directly to Fern for much needed therapy equipment to improve her quality of life.

"DCF would like to buy a Mollii suit, which is an electrical stimulation suit for the rehabilitation of spasticity. It aims to enable the body to overcome motor and muscle tone imbalance, to improve movement and control, as well as easing the painful spasms, helping Fern to get a good night’s sleep.”

The Dorset Children's Foundation was set up in 2013 to improve the lives of local sick and differently-abled children and since then has donated more than £500,000 to local children. The small, independent charity funds medical expenses, mobility equipment and therapies not covered by the NHS.

Tickets for the event cost £20 and can be purchased online at forumjewellers.co.uk/diamonds. Book by Sunday, October 14.