A barmaid who asked generous strangers to pay for her flight to Canada so she can surprise her mother who she hadn't seen for almost a year has already met her target.

Nicole Fennelly, 22, launched a GoFundMe page on Monday to raise £400 to pay for a return flight to visit her mother and two sisters in February - and she's already received £464.

Ms Fennelly and her family moved across the Atlantic from Liverpool in 2012, but she decided to move back home alone after the death of her grandmother in January.

Nicole Fennelly, 22, launched a GoFundMe page to raise £400 to pay for a return flight to visit her mother and two sisters in February

The 22-year-old has already surpassed her goal by £64 in just five days after generous strangers made donations

Ten months on, the 22-year-old said she misses her mother and wants to fly to Canada to spend two weeks with her family.

Ms Fennelly has been working overtime in an attempt to afford the trip, but said she was struggling to get the money together for the flight.

The barmaid has pledged to refund all the money if she doesn't manage to book a flight.

She said: 'I was really depressed in Canada and always wanted to come back to Liverpool.

'And in January when my nan died I just felt like I needed to be back in my hometown.

Ms Fennelly and her family moved across the Atlantic from Liverpool in 2012, but she decided to move back home alone after the death of her grandmother in January

'I did it all so fast, without thinking of the consequences, but I just really miss my mum and my two sisters and I want to see them for Christmas.'

Ms Fennelly hopes to travel across the Atlantic in February as she is unable to get time away from work in December.

She said her mother, who struggles with mental health issues, keeps asking her to 'come home for Christmas.'

'I am doing every night shift I can to save money but the prices go up this time of year so I want to try and book in the next few weeks,' Ms Fennelly said.

'I can't explain what it would mean to me to see her. Not seeing your mum for this long, is so difficult.'

Ms Fennelly said her mother cares for her younger sister who has a disability and 'deserves something nice to happen to her.'

She said: 'My mum is a hero. She doesn't know I am trying to get out there and she would literally sob if I managed to get over there.

'I think if it was to happen I would message my stepdad and get his help with it to keep it a surprise.

'I've been thinking about how I would do it. She has no idea I am thinking about going out there.'