Nikita Jade Disability Fund

An entertainment evening has raised a huge £1,100 to help make a disabled youngster more comfortable.

The event, dubbed Bring It On, was held at Rushden Town Bowls Club, in aid of 12-year-old Nikita Ray, who suffers from a number of disabilities.

The evening was organised by Jayne Wiggins, from Rushden, who had never met Nikita or her family prior to organising the event.

Jayne said: “It was an absolutely brilliant success. It was a community effort in that so many people gave up their time for free.

“It’s been brilliant to raise money for Nikita and to become friends with Nikita and her family. We will be going on and doing more with them.”

The 12-year-old’s dad Malcolm Ray has paid tribute to Jayne for the work she did organising the fundraiser.

Malcolm said: “It was a lovely event. Nikita came along and had a great evening watching the dancing.”

He added that the family had been pleasantly surprised when Jayne approached him to propose holding the event.

He said Nikita was doing well at Greenfields School in Northampton, saying: “They are bringing her along like you wouldn’t believe.”

Mum-of-three Jayne planned to support 40 charities to mark the run-up to her 40th birthday.

“Although she fell short of her target she has continued to do what she can for local good causes.

She said: “I chose the Nikita Jade Disability Fund after a promotion celebrating almost 10 years of the fund raised the profile and reminded me how often I have seen this little girl in the town as her family have been at events like Party in The Park and Christmas events in the High Street.”

The evening featured music, dance and other entertainment. More than 330 people attended throughout the evening.