Tillie Vasey, 5 with Big Brother, Leo Vasey, 9

Little Tillie Vasey suffered a fractured skull and facial injuries when she was mauled by a neighbour's dog as she played on Westfield Drive on Sunday, July 15.

The brave five-year-old suffered a further setback when she developed a brain infection as a result of her injuries.

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But the popular little girl still managed to join well-wishers for the start of a charity walk, which was held on her behalf, through Moor Park last Sunday.

Organisers Wendy Moore, Alison Peet, Chantel Macleod and Kayleigh Mcdowall are now thanking everyone who helped them to raise over Â£700 to buy toys for the little girl.

Wendy said: "We have just been so overwhelmed with all the support and we really can't thank people enough.

"It's just been brilliant - I know that Tillie's mum is really pleased with all the support.

"She's going to buy her a play house for the garden and a couple of rabbits to welcome her home.

"We raised Â£340 from the walk with buckets and have a further Â£400 to come from sponsorship.

"We just wanted to do something for her - she is such a popular little girl on Brookfield. But obviously, we would do this for any child who needed help.

"People are quick to criticise estates but when things like this happen, we all stick together - we just do everything we can to support one another.

"Tillie's doing really well and she is getting better. We hope she will be home this week."

"It was lovely to see her at the walk and to see her little smile on her face when she saw everyone making a fuss of her."

The charity walk is just one of a series of fundraising events which have taken place to help bring comfort to the little girl as she overcomes her injuries.

One of Tillie’s classmates at Brookfield Primary School climbed a mountain in the Lake District to raise money for her friend.

Four-year-old Halle Wilson, smashed her Â£200 target and raised over Â£2,000 to help the youngster.After the dog attack on Sunday, July 15 on Westfield Drive, Preston, police arrested a 40-year-old woman.