A CHARITY line dance organised in honour of two children with a rare genetic condition, has raised more than £4,000.

The event was set up by Sheila and Gerry Morel, whose granddaughter Alecia Yarlett suffers from Ataxia-Telangiectasia.

The debilitating disease affects co-ordination and speech and weakens the immune system.

Eight-year-old Alecia, from Walderslade, Chatham, was first diagnosed with the condition last year. Her family has vowed to raise as much cash as they can for The Ataxia-Telangiectasia Society, with the hope that their efforts will help the search for a cure.

Also at the line-dancing party was 10-year-old George Keith who lives in Gillingham. Alecia and George are thought to be the only two children in the Medway area who suffer from Ataxia, with less than 200 known cases in the UK.

More than 300 people attended the fund-raising event at Ditton Community Centre near Maidstone, which collected around £4,500.

Alecia’s mother Lian Yarlett said: “We didn’t expect it to be as big as it was, but it was a great success, and we are looking forward to the next one.”

Alecia’s grandmother, Sheila Morel, from Wrotham, added: “Warmest thanks to everyone who generously supported the A-T raffle draw, and to all the line-dancers and clubs for making it such a successful evening.”